People in the early stage:

• Repeat what they have already said. They forget what they have already said when they are speaking with other people.
  
• Forget the word they want to use.  Just  can not find the right word to use in a sentence. They may even use a word that makes no sense at all.
  
• Forget how to do some simple things. Some may forget how to make their favorite stew, for example.
  
• Stop being able to do some hands on things. They may no longer be able to knit or drive a car as well as they did in the past.
  
• Have personality changes. They may become angry, aggressive, depressed  or moody.
  
• Become disoriented. They may forget what day of the week it is.

Some of these changes are very small and hard to notice. It is often the family that notices them.  The person may not even realize they are having trouble.

The Middle Stage Signs

As it continues to progress, the person will become more forgetful, confused and disoriented. They will have short-term  memory loss.   The early stage signs get worse during the middle stage and the patient may also:

• Be restless and confused at night. This is often called sun downers.
  
• Have trouble reading and writing.
  
• Repeat actions over and over again. These acts have no purpose but they are done over and over again any-way.

• Be at risk for harm. Falls are a problem. These patients no longer see and stay away from danger. They do not have good judgment and common sense.
  
• Become aggressive and very angry. These behaviors may place the patient, staff and other patients at risk for harm.
  
• No longer be able to take care of themselves without the help of others.
  
• Have hallucinations and delusions.
  
• Personality changes. They may be sad and depressed, have fears, anxiety and other personality changes.

• Lose social skills. These patients may stop spending time with others and doing things that you used to like doing.

The Late Stage Signs

During the late stage, the patient can no longer care for himself or herself. They need complete care. All of the early and late stage signs continue to get worse and the patient also:

• Loses control of urine. They become incontinent of urine.
  
• Loses control of stool. They become incontinent of stool.
  
• Can no longer eat without a lot of help or a feeding tube. Patients may have eating and swallowing problems..
  
• Becomes underweight and thin. These patients are at risk for malnutrition, dehydration, infections and aspiration..
  
• Very sleepy and not responsive.