Alzheimer's disease progresses through different stages, which bring about changes in the person's and family's lives.

The early stage refers to people of any age who have mild impairment due to symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

The middle stage brings a more significant decline in the person’s cognitive abilities. This stage often seems the longest, and everyone involved will need help and support.

The late stage occurs when the person living with Alzheimer's disease eventually becomes unable to communicate verbally or look after themselves. Nonverbal communication becomes more critical.

You can read more about these stages in the series The Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease or type a question in the search bar above.

Alzheimer's disease affects each individual differently. The symptoms, the order in which they appear, and the duration of each stage vary greatly from person to person.

In most cases, the disease progresses slowly, and the symptoms of each stage may overlap, often making the move from one stage to another quite subtle. The duration of the disease is usually seven to ten years but may be much longer in some people.

Most people forget things on a daily basis, such as people's names or where they put their car keys. However, this doesn't necessarily indicate Alzheimer's disease or any other form of dementia. In dementia, memory loss is more severe than forgetting things occasionally. It starts to interfere with everyday life. For instance, it might be time to see your doctor if you find your car keys but can't recall what they are used for.

There are many reasons why people become forgetful. Some medicines and drugs can affect memory. Getting a proper diagnosis is important, as memory issues can be caused by stress, depression, anxiety, vitamin deficiencies, and thyroid problems. If you are worried about your memory, if it’s getting worse, or if it's interfering with your everyday life, talk to your doctor.