The Alzheimer’s Society guide to the stages of dementia, provides an overview of the symptoms associated with disease progression. However we recognise this is a guide and dementia diagnoses are complex.
The guide highlights in the early stage of Alzheimer’s, a person may function independently. He or she may still drive, work and be part of social activities. Despite this, the person may feel as if he or she is having memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
The middle stage of Alzheimer’s typically last the longest, and dementia symptoms are more pronounced. The person may confuse words, get frustrated or angry, and act in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for the person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance.
The Prize is focused on solutions that retain the independence of people and are able to adapt to user needs to deliver tailored support, contributing to wellbeing and quality of life.