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Dementia is a set of symptoms caused by many different diseases and conditions. Dementia is caused when brain cells become damaged and eventually die. Thinking about your brain as a highway system, the damaged brain cells are the boxes on the road. This is what causes the changes to mood, emotions and ability to do everyday tasks. How and where the boxes fall on the highway varies between people.
The disease progression typically follows certain stages which will bring about changes in the person's and family's lives. Because the disease affects everyone differently, the symptoms, the order in which they appear, and the duration of each stage vary 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.
The stages of the disease are commonly referred to as “early,” “middle,” and “late.” “End-of-life” is described as when the person nears death and comfort measures become the focus.
The infographics below provide additional information to help you better understand the changes you might see at each stage, important strategies for care partners, and " heads-up” signals to watch for over time.
Download and print these handouts as easy references.
What to Expect as the Person’s Dementia Progresses
Dementia is an overall term for a set of symptoms that is caused by disorders affecting the brain.
Symptoms may include:
These dementia symptoms are caused when brain cells become damaged and eventually die. Dementia can be frightening, which makes it challenging to find the right help.
But there is help.
Learning how to live well with dementia and manage the symptoms can help you gain control and confidence along your journey. The Alzheimer Society is here to provide you with the support and information to do just that.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Symptoms include difficulty remembering things, making decisions, and performing everyday activities. These changes can affect how a person feels and acts. There is currently no way to stop the disease, but research is improving how we provide care and will continue searching for a cure.
While dementia may be the title we give to the disease, there are many types of dementia, as illustrated below. Dementia is an umbrella term. Mixed dementia is diagnosed when the person living with dementia experiences more than one type concurrently. There are also rare types of dementia that are caused by other diseases and conditions.
Let’s now explore the changing brain function of a person living with dementia. The highway system analogy used in the video below illustrates brain function.
The video is 10:29 minutes in length.
Download these PDFs of the Video Transcript if you would like to print a copy and save as a reference.
After you watch the video, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
Make a note of them and bring them up during your next conversation with your healthcare provider. Alternatively, you can contact your local Alzheimer Society via our toll-free number, 1-866-950-5465, or by email: info@alzheimer.ab.ca.
This session includes the following parts:
Part 1: What is Dementia?
Part 2: The Stages of Dementia: What Happens?
Part 3: Exploring Dementia and Memory Loss
Part 4: Getting a Diagnosis
Part 5: Associated Illnesses
Part 6: Helpful Tips to Address Symptoms in the Early Stage
Part 7: Questions for Reflection
Summary
Work through the various parts in the session at your leisure. Move from one part to another at your own pace and in the order that makes sense to you, based on your own needs and interests.
At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar and type a specific question or topic to learn more.
This session includes the following parts:
Part 1: The Experience of Dementia: Personal Stories
Part 2: Dementia Diagnosis from an Insider's Perspective
Part 3: Take Action for Healthier Living
Part 4: My Personal Action Plan
Part 5: Questions for Reflection
Part 6: Questions Others Have Asked
Summary
Work through the various parts in the session at your leisure. Move from one part to another at your own pace and in the order that makes sense to you, based on your own needs and interests.
At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar and type a specific question or topic to learn more.
Dementia creates distinct challenges in how people express themselves and understand what is being communicated.
Here is a conversation with speech-language pathologist Tammy Hopper. Tammy shares her expertise in verbal and nonverbal communication.
The video will help you understand the communication challenges faced by people with dementia and why it’s important to adapt your communication style to meet their needs.
People with dementia lose different communication abilities during the early, middle and late stages of the disease. As the illness progresses, they experience a gradual deterioration of their ability to express themselves clearly and understand what others say. However, some form of communication remains possible at every stage of the disease.
The following communication changes are common among people with dementia:
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Communication - Day to Day Series
Enhancing Communication: A By Us For Us Guide
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Click on the icon below to download and print a brief self-reflection activity sheet. The purpose of this tool is to help you think about what you have learned and to provide a space for you to document some of your thoughts and ideas for moving forward.
The Alberta AGTA is new law that came into force on October 30, 2009. It replaced the 30-year-old Dependent Adults Act (DAA). When an adult needs assistance making decisions, the AGTA provides a variety of options that range from having a person provide some help in making decisions to having a person take over the decision-making completely. The exact options depend on the kinds of decisions being made.
Here we have a conversation with lawyer, Doris Bonora. It is one of several videos in this session where we find out what legal and financial documents need to be prepared and what needs to be done to ensure the concerns and wishes of the person living with dementia are met.
In this video, Doris offers some general information about the Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (AGTA). For specific, detailed legal advice, it is important to consult with a lawyer directly.
The Alberta Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act
A Personal Directive is a legal document where you can write out your instructions and/or possibly name an individual —an agent—to decide on personal matters if, due to injury or illness, you can no longer make personal choices.
A Personal Directive deals with personal matters only, such as where you live and the medical treatment you will receive. The Enduring Power of Attorney deals with financial matters. (Learn more about an Enduring Power of Attorney in part 3 of this session).
Here we have a conversation with lawyer, Doris Bonora. It is one of several videos in this session where we find out what legal and financial documents need to be prepared and what needs to be done to ensure the concerns and wishes of the person living with dementia are met.
In this video, Doris explains the importance of Personal Directives.
Feel free to make some notes as you listen.
As the disease progresses, your substitute decision-maker (or agent) will have to make decisions about your care. For most people, making decisions on behalf of another person is difficult. By talking to your decision-maker now about the level of care you wish in the future, you will make those choices easier for your care partner. You will also have the comfort of knowing that your future care will be in good hands.
Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CLPEA): planning for future care
Personal Directives form, Government of Alberta – Office of Public Guardian
