Understanding The Dementia Journey: Dealing With the Third Stage of Dementia

During the third stage of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, you have a definite diagnosis and are actively dealing with the symptoms and progression of the disease. As with the previous two stages, education and having access to support and resources are key.

The third stage of dementia presents an entirely new set of challenges for individuals and their loved ones. Dementia is a complex disease that varies from person to person at every stage. Planning for now and in the future is critical at this stage when your loved one may begin to experience more severe symptoms.

All legal matters, healthcare decisions, and financial concerns should be in order at this stage. This is the period where events may arise, highlighting the need for having essential matters addressed.

What to Expect in the Third Stage of Dementia

During this stage of dementia, symptoms may become much more severe. You may begin to see behavioral changes and a noticeable decline in cognitive function, requiring more professional care and supportive support.

• Behavioral changes: Anxiety, stress, depression, and paranoia are common behavioral challenges at this stage. Some individuals may experience delusions, paranoia, and confabulations that are very real to them. Behavioral changes pose a risk and should be closely monitored.
• Difficulty with ADLs: Individuals may need assistance with bathing, dressing, eating, and grooming. You may notice unopened mail, piles of laundry, or spoiled food in the refrigerator.
• Increased Memory Loss: Individuals may forget important details like birthdays, names, or addresses.
• Social Isolation: At this stage, individuals may start socially isolated. Intervene if they’re missing family functions and activities or declining social engagements
  
  

Caregiver Tips and Strategies

In this stage of dementia, Individuals need constant care and monitoring. They may wander out of the house and get lost, leave the stove on, not eat, not pay bills, leave doors open or unlocked, or fall victim to scams.

You may feel overwhelmed as you try to manage your own life as well as care for a loved one with dementia. Depression, anxiety, and guilt are common as families realize they’re unable to properly care for someone they love, such as a parent, spouse, or grandparent.

When dealing with full-blown dementia, family caregivers must accept that they will need professional support to care for themselves and their loved ones.

Knowing your options and, most importantly, asking for help is essential. You may not be equipped with an understanding of the dementia journey, and that’s okay.

This is when it’s essential to speak with a physician or healthcare team who can assess the individual, determine their safety, recommend appropriate supportive services, and guide you in successfully caring for an individual with dementia.

Your healthcare team should include the following:

• Physician or specialist
• Identified social services such as home health or a visiting nurse
• Adult daycare assisted living, or memory care community
• Helpful resources such as support groups or Alzheimer’s association
• Support group (friends, family, neighbors, church)

Determining Care Needs & Options

Care needs will vary. However, at this stage, many individuals will eventually need 24/7 care, which can be difficult for families to manage.

Speak with your doctor to help you assess care for your loved one and support for your family. Do they need to be checked on every evening with a phone call, or does someone need to go over every morning and afternoon?

What are your family dynamics at this stage? How will this affect your family? Have you come up with a family plan? Who is going to support this individual?

Identify and be honest about what you can and cannot handle regarding caregiving. This is the stage where you don’t want to be alone. Consider memory care communities. Even if you don’t need professional full-time help now, you’ll be prepared if a sudden need arises.

Memory care communities are an excellent resource for providing support and services for individuals with dementia and their families.

Wrap-up

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are complex diseases that vary significantly from person to person. Dementia, particularly in the third stage, can be mentally and physically challenging for everyone involved.

As families have to manage and come to terms with a loved one’s progressive symptoms, education, self-care, planning, and professional support are crucial.