I am clearing out my email this afternoon and read this article from The Mayo Clinic:
Alzheimer's stages: How the disease progresses.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-stages/art-20048448
Today we discussed a little about the average life span of a person living with Alzheimer's.
Consensus seems to say the average rate of progression is 8 years or 3 to 11 years after diagnosis, with some surviving 20 years or more. Clear as mud! Of course, longevity depends on the degee of impairment at diagnosis.l
There seem to be varied ways to discuss the changing stages, none of them concrete.
Mayo says 5 stages, Johns Hopkins and AlzAssn says 3 stages. It all amounts to the same. Our loved ones are progressing through all stages. There's a good schematic of the brain changes at https://seniordirectory.com/articles/info/what-are-the-three-stages-of-alzheimers-disease , but you've already probably seen something like that. (I tried to cut and paste the image, but I guess the copywrite cops wouldn't let me!)
Approaching this in an intellectual way, the subject is absurdly interesting. It would be better as a movie than having to watch our loved ones live through this struggle.
Make memories, take lots of pictures, laugh and love.
I appreciate having you all with me on this journey.
The numbers do seem to be very inconsistent. I am glad Mike brought this topic up. I can't recall discussing this topic at all over the last year that the group has been meeting. I think it is because everyone is so focused on the day to day and managing the immediate behaviors.
I think Mary is correct, appreciate the time you do have.