Alzheimer’s disease

You are not alone. Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia supports persons with dementia, of all ages, their families, friends and caregivers.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The term dementia describes a group of symptoms that include memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, or language. These symptoms occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease, named after the doctor who first described it, Alois Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain.

As the disease progresses, proteins build up in the brain to form structures called plaques and tangles. This results in the loss of connections between nerve cells, leading to their death and loss of brain tissue.

People with Alzheimer’s also experience a shortage of some important chemicals in the brain, which are essential for transmitting signals. When these chemical messengers are in short supply, the signals are not transmitted as effectively.

Current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease can help increase the levels of these chemical messengers in the brain, which can aid in managing some symptoms. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning that over time, more parts of the brain become damaged, leading to more severe symptoms.

Source: Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM)

Stages of Alzheimer's

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Overview of disease progression
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Mild Alzheimer's Disease (Early Stage)
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Moderate Alzheimer's Disease (Middle Stage)
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Severe Alzheimer's Disease (Late Stage)

Overview of disease progression

The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease worsen over time, though the rate of progression varies. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives four to eight years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors. Changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's begin years before any signs of the disease appear. This period, which can last for years, is known as preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

The stages below provide a general idea of how abilities change once symptoms appear and should be used as a general guide. (Dementia is a general term to describe the symptoms of mental decline that accompany Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases.)

The stages are categorized into three groups: mild Alzheimer's disease, moderate Alzheimer's disease, and severe Alzheimer's disease. It may be challenging to place a person with Alzheimer's in a specific stage as stages can overlap.

Source: Alzheimer's Association

Mild Alzheimer's Disease (Early Stage)

In the early stage of Alzheimer's, a person may function independently. They may still drive, work, and participate in social activities. However, they may feel as if they are experiencing memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.

Friends, family, or others close to the individual begin to notice difficulties. During a detailed medical interview, doctors may detect problems in memory or concentration. Common difficulties include:

  • Problems finding the right word or name
  • Trouble remembering names when introduced to new people
  • Challenges performing tasks in social or work settings
  • Forgetting material just read
  • Misplacing valuable objects
  • Increasing trouble with planning or organizing

Source: Alzheimer's Association

Moderate Alzheimer's Disease (Middle Stage)

Moderate Alzheimer's is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer's will require a greater level of care.

During the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s, the dementia symptoms are more pronounced. A person may have greater difficulty performing tasks such as paying bills, but may still remember significant details about their life.

You may notice the person with Alzheimer's confusing words, getting frustrated or angry, or acting in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can make it difficult to express thoughts and perform routine tasks.

At this point, symptoms will be noticeable to others and may include:

Source: Alzheimer's Association

Severe Alzheimer's Disease (Late Stage)

In the final stage of this disease, dementia symptoms are severe. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry on a conversation, and eventually, control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant personality changes may take place, and individuals need extensive help with daily activities.

At this stage, individuals may:

  • Need round-the-clock assistance with daily activities and personal care
  • Lose awareness of recent experiences and their surroundings
  • Experience changes in physical abilities, including the ability to walk, sit, and eventually, swallow
  • Have increasing difficulty communicating
  • Become vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia

Source: Alzheimer's Association