Multiple Stages of Dementia
Dementia progresses through three general stages, early, middle, and late, with each requiring different types of activities. A dementia diagnosis can be very intimidating to individuals and their families. It signals a decline in cognitive abilities, and there isn’t a cure for most memory disorders. Many also fear that the individual affected will no longer be able to engage in activities for their enjoyment or benefit.
People with memory care disorders at all stages can still enjoy activities, even if that participation looks different. Dementia is a memory disorder that refers to the loss of memory, language, and cognitive abilities that affects the ability to function in everyday life. It’s important to know the stages as well as the activities and levels of participation that are best for each stage.
What Are the 3 Stages of Dementia?
Dementia is generally categorized into three stages based on how much support each person needs with daily life and communication. Here’s what to expect at each stage.
Early-Stage Dementia:
Individuals who are impacted by early-stage dementia may still be able to function independently. Although individuals may still participate in their daily routine, you may start to notice signs of memory decline, like misplacing their keys. Symptoms start to have some impact on the person’s life.
Symptoms of Early Stage include:
- Memory lapses: Forgetting or losing items around the house, frequent difficulty finding the right word in conversation, inability to recall recent events
- Difficulty in planning and problem-solving: Confusion is more common, and individuals affected by dementia have trouble planning and making complex choices
- Increasing irritability or anxiety: Mood changes may arise at this stage, where anxiety and depression become more common. Signs of these mood changes include withdrawal from hobbies or socialization and lack of self-confidence
In the early stages, most individuals can still participate in regular recreational activities. Memory impairment may become evident, especially with memory-related games. Activities that are most helpful at this stage involve storytelling, memory activities such as word searches and puzzles, and self-expression activities such as painting or singing along to music. Though practicing memory activities may seem counterintuitive, it can be beneficial for people with dementia to help jog their memory.
Middle-Stage:
The middle stage of dementia presents changes and symptoms that become much more noticeable, especially to family and friends of those affected. At this point in the disease, many individuals need either reminders or physical assistance with completing activities of daily living (ADLs). Common ADLs include bathing, dressing, and toileting.
Symptoms of Middle Stage include:
- Memory decline: Individuals who experience dementia have more difficulty recognizing people in their lives at this stage, and repetition of the same question is common. They may also forget basic information about themselves, such as their phone number, age, and home address
- Confusion increases: People with dementia at this stage tend to get more easily confused about where they are and the time of day, and this may lead to wandering
- Hallucinations and delusions: Middle-stage dementia often presents issues related to paranoia and seeing or hearing things that are not real. Common delusions among individuals with dementia are that someone is stealing from them or that a lover is cheating on them
During the middle stage of dementia, many people still desire to participate in recreational activities but may need prompting to start or continue engagement. The best activities for this stage include cognitive skills (such as daily living tasks like folding laundry), easy physical activities such as guided walks, memory activities like watching an old movie, and sorting.
Late-Stage:
This stage of dementia causes a very significant impact on the lives of those who have dementia, and often on their caregivers as well. At this point, individuals require full-time, 24/7 care, available around the clock, and need physical assistance with every activity of daily living. It’s very common to see drastic personality changes and a loss of ability to control their movement or respond to most of the world around them.
Symptoms of Late Stage include:
- Difficulty or loss of ability to communicate
- Increased emotional distress, restlessness, and fear
- Physical immobility: difficulty walking, eating, and swallowing, and incontinence is common at this stage
Individuals who are at the severe stage of dementia have limited abilities to communicate and experience increased emotional difficulty due to memory loss. At this stage, activities should be focused on providing sensory comfort and gentle stimulation to impacted individuals. Even if individuals are unable to communicate, they can still enjoy sensory activity participation, meaning that engagement is important at this stage.
Activities that best support individuals at this stage are gentle stretches, pet therapy, holding hands, and looking at old photos. Social interaction is still important at this stage, regardless of the affected individual’s ability to talk. Friends, family, and caregivers can accomplish this by telling stories or reading to the individual as well.
How Chantilly Heights Supports Every Stage of Dementia
No two residents experience dementia the same way, which is why activities have to be personalized and tailored to each person’s individual abilities and interests. As the disease progresses, residents may lose interest in hobbies they once loved or may need activities adapted to meet their changing needs.
At Chantilly Heights, our memory care community in Chantilly, VA offers:
Personalized care plans
Care plans are tailored to each resident’s current needs, abilities and preferences.
IN2L (It’s Never 2 Late) technology
Interactive touch-screen systems that adapt activities to each resident’s cognitive level, from memory games to sensory experiences.
24/7 recreational programming
A variety of activities gives residents opportunities for socialization, movement, creativity and engagement throughout the day.
A close-knit, memory care community
Our caring, dementia-trained team takes the time to build meaningful relationships with residents and their families.
Activities can be an important part of creating a sense of familiarity, purpose and enjoyment for someone living with dementia. At Chantilly Heights, our recreational activities are designed around the interests and abilities of each resident, with opportunities to stay engaged at every stage of dementia.
For families considering memory care, finding a community that can adapt to changing needs is an important part of the process. Our memory care program provides personalized support, engaging activities and a welcoming environment designed to help residents feel safe, comfortable and at home.
If you’re exploring memory care for yourself or a loved one, contact Chantilly Heights to schedule a tour and learn more about our community.
