The Seven Stages of Dementia: What to Expect and How to Care
Dementia encompasses various progressive neurological disorders characterized by memory impairment, impaired judgment, disturbances in thinking, and behavioral changes as the most common hallmarks. Understanding the different stages of dementia equips caregivers and family members to anticipate challenges and provide optimal care. Below is a clinical description of dementia, stage by stage, including expectations for each phase. Understanding the Progression of Dementia Dementia does not appear suddenly. Its symptoms develop gradually and worsen over time at varying rates. Many ask, " How many stages of dementia are there? " There are seven, each more severe than the previous one. The Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), also known as the Seven Stages of Dementia, categorizes these stages based on cognitive decline, requiring different levels of care and support from families and caregivers. Stage 1: No Cognitive Decline (Normal Functioning) No observab...