Disease Progression

Changes in Memory, Thinking & Function in Dementia (Disease Progression)

MILD
MMSE* score of 23-20 		MODERATE
MMSE score of 19-10 		ADVANCED
MMSE score of 9-0
Memory & Thinking
  • Difficulty with short-term memory
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor decision-making
  • Difficulty with short- and long-term memory
  • Forgets own personal history
  • Poor decision-making
  • Severely impaired memory for recent and past events
Language
  • Problems remembering the right word or name
  • May not understand what is being said
  • Losing ability to express self and make needs known
  • Unable to carry on a meaningful conversation
Mood
  • May become depressed or socially withdrawn
  • More easily upset and frustrated
  • May appear to lack emotion
  • Appears withdrawn
  • Difficult to engage
Function
  • Difficulty organizing and managing household affairs, such as cleaning, cooking, and yard work
  • Trouble handling finances
  • Difficulty initiating activities
  • Gets lost/mixed-up when driving in familiar places
  • May be involved in “fender benders”
 Needs help with the following:

  • Dressing
    • Selecting/coordinating clothing
    • Sequencing clothing
    • Buttoning, zipping, snapping clothing
  • Grooming
    • Lack of attention to fine details
    • Needs reminders for shaving, tooth brushing
    • Unable to apply make-up
  • Bathing
    • Forgets to bathe
    • May become afraid of water in bath/shower
  • Bladder and Bowel
    • Difficulty finding the toilet
    • Forgets to wipe and/or flush
    • Incontinent episodes
  • Eating
    • Forgets to eat or drink
    • Forgets how to use silverware
    • May lack table manners
  • Has difficulty interacting/responding to surroundings
  • Forgets how to walk without help; may lead to eventual loss of body movement
  • Relies totally on caregivers for:
    • Dressing
    • Grooming
    • Bathing
    • Feeding
    • Bladder/bowel
  • May forget to chew food or swallow
  • May lose ability to sit up, hold head up and/or smile