Stages of Alzheimer's disease

Most doctors identify three main stages of Alzheimer's disease -- mild, moderate, and severe. Because each stage of dementia can last for several years or more, it can also be helpful to understand whether your loved one seems to be in the early, middle, or late part of each stage. Changes in memory and other thinking skills are the most reliable way to track someone's progression through dementia, but other symptoms also help to indicate the stage.


Gain additional insight into your loved one's stage of dementia, along with expert guidance and community support, with Caring.com's Steps & Stages, a free customizable resource for family caregivers.

Mild-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Early: You'll likely first notice an occasional repetition of stories, ideas, and questions -- or notice that appointments and errands go forgotten.

• More early-mild symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Early Mild-Stage Dementia

Mid: Deteriorating immediate memory loss causes word-for-word repetition of comments and questions to become more noticeable and more frequent, though it may not happen every day.

• More mid-mild symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Mid Mild-Stage Dementia

Late: The same stories are now repeated word for word at least several times a day; it's noticeable by strangers as well as family but doesn't yet happen continually.

• More late-mild symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Late Mild-Stage Dementia



Moderate-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Early: Stories and questions are repeated on very short loops, within minutes, continuously throughout the day.

• More early-moderate symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Early Moderate-Stage Dementia

Mid: As recent memory erodes, your loved one will begin asking questions like, "Where are we?" or "Why are we here?" or "What am I supposed to be doing?"

• More mid-moderate symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Mid Moderate-Stage Dementia

Late: Your loved one now views distant memories as recent (such as a deceased parent being referred to as alive) and sometimes can't accurately identify friends and some family members.

• More late-moderate symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Late Moderate-Stage Dementia



Severe-Stage Alzheimer's Disease

Early: Even distant memories are harder to recall and are no longer mentioned; your loved one may not recognize close family or know names.

• More early-severe symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Early Severe-Stage Dementia

Mid: Your loved one may not recognize even a primary caregiver and may talk little or use nonsense speech or singsong.

• More mid-severe symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Mid Severe-Stage Dementia

Late: Your loved one is unlikely to speak more than a few words a day, can no longer sit up, and seems to stare right through you.

• More late-severe symptoms

• A Caregiver's Guide to Late Severe-Stage Dementia