A dementia diagnosis might look different from one person to another, including the progression to various stages. There are three primary stages of Alzheimer’s and this is important for you as a family member to recognize the early signs and symptoms and to understand the value of incorporating appropriate estate planning when you can.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will get worse over time. A person who has Alzheimer’s can live anywhere from 4 to 8 years after diagnosis on average but might live for as long as two more decades. The three categories of Alzheimer’s are mild, moderate and severe Alzheimer’s. In the mild stage a person can still function independently and might even be part of social activities or still be involved in driving. The symptoms might not be widely recognized at this stage.
Middle stage Alzheimer’s, however, is typically the longest stage for most patients and can last for many years. As the disease gets worse the person with this diagnosis will require a more involved level of care. The symptoms shown at this stage could be a person being forgetful of personal history or events, experiencing confusion about where they are and having trouble controlling their bowels and bladder. Late stage Alzheimer’s is the final stage of the disease in which individuals can no longer respond effectively to their environment or even control their movement.
If you believe that a loved one is currently suffering from Alzheimer’s and you need to engage a Massachusetts estate planning attorney about the process of drafting long term care and end of life documents, schedule a consultation today.
