I know there is a description for the various stages, but how do you know for sure? I ask as my LO shows signs from just about all the stages so I don't know if she is stage 4 or 6. Also I've heard that LO live an average of ten years is this after they have been diagnosed with AD? I hate to come across as wishing my LO was dead but I hate seeing her suffer so and worse watching how quickly my dad has aged bc of this G-awful disease.

Hi Anouch,
Welcome to the AD Message Boards. I'm sorry for what brings you here.

If you go to the top of this screen and click on the "find" button then type in "stages," I think that will give you the information you need.

Please, remember that everyone is different. Dementia/AD is different in each person.

Good Luck.

Please, come back and let us know how you are doing.

Personally, I am glad to have the "stages" descriptions, because it helps me know a little bit of what to expect. I say a little bit, because not all AD victims exhibit all the symptoms, or fit into any particular stage. The best description of stages that I have found is here:
http://www.alzinfo.org/clinica...zheimers-disease.asp

Only recently has my mom displayed symptoms and behaviors that actually put her in a specific stage, and even that varies day to day, because some days really are better than others. (I love those days!). I have also heard the AVERAGE life span for someone with AD is 10 years. (Remember, average is like this: If you have one foot in hot water, and one foot in cold water, the average is "comfortable" )

You also have to take into account the person's overall physical health, how well they are cared-for, etc.

My mom had close relatives who lived with AD for over 20 years (yes, into their 100's!) because they had no other physical issues and received excellent one-on-one care.

I, too, hate watching my mom suffer from this disease, but realistically know it could last another 15 years, or more.

I want to thank Flowerbuyer for the web site for descriptions of the stages. I'm new at this and have been having trouble understanding just where in the progression my husband is. He was just diagnosed 6 weeks ago, but it would appear that he is in the mild to moderate area. However, the double incontinence has already hit, though that is the only symptom of a more advanced stage. Thanks again for the info.

thanks so much flowerbuyer for another tool, and an easy one at that! You've given us all a great tool!

Warm hugs!

Thank you everyone for your assistance. Haven't been logged on much due to mom's condition. Adjusted meds now waiting for pharmacy to get the meds in for us to get them in mom. Best to everyone with your LO

After reading the stages I believe my Mom to be in stage 6. My heart sunk when you said they could live a long time with good care and no physical problems. That describes my Mom. Again, of course I don't want my Mom to die, but my Mom is already gone. She can't speak and now hasn't eaten for 6 days. I know no one has a crystal ball, but if my Mom lived 5 more years like this I probably would die first. I'm at the end of my rope after doing this for 5 years and I just can't bear the thought of putting her in a home.

When my Jeanne was still living, I moreorless finally quit determining the stages. Just dealt with the situation day to day. One day at a time. Trying to make the best of each day. I had Jeanne that day. And that was the important thing. To exude good vibes. To try to make her feel good. Feel loved. Feel my presence. I was busy focusing on the moment rather than worrying about tomorrow or next week or next month. --Jim

ccristina, it sounds as if you might want to consider asking hospice for an evaluation. They can be an enormous help to you, as well as to your mother.

Ask your doctor for a referral, or -- better yet -- call one or more hospice organizations yourself. Call the social worker and/or the discharge planners at the hospitals in tow, and ask for the names and phone numbers of the hospices they refer to. You can also look in the yellow pages.

When you call each hospice, do not speak with the intake coordinator; instead, ask to speak to the RN supervisor. S/he is likely to be much more knowledgeable.

Describe your mom's condition - be extremely detailed. The RN supervisor will then tell you whether or not she fits hospice. Hospice is NOT just for the imminently dying, they are also for those with chronic diseases that are causing decline and will eventually become fatal - Hospice will support the best quality of life while the disease runs its course.

Not every hospice is the same. They are all different. Some Hospice entities will take many more varied types of patients than others, so do speak to several. By speaking to the hospice entities you will get a feeling as to which one is a better fit.

Generally speaking, the larger hospice organizations take patients more easily than the small "Mom and Pop" type organizations. The overhead eats up the smaller agencies and they cannot afford to keep as many patients on the books as the larger more funded agencies. If your social worker knows of a nonprofit hospice, all the better.

Hospice will come out at no cost and assess the patient once they receive a doctor's order. REQUEST THE HOSPICE TO CONTACT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND GET THE ORDER THEMSELVES. They will almost always do this - some prefer to do so. Most doctors will not refuse the contact order.

(99% of this is courtesy of Johanna C. Always quote an expert! )