FAST Scale and info sheet

Quilting brings calm

@harshedbuzz shared this link on a different discussion. I’m bringing the link here to discuss the info sheet about the FAST scale.

https://alzconnected.org/home/leaving?allowTrusted=1&target=https%3A%2F%2Fmccare.com%2Fpdf%2Ffast.pdf

We’ve always said that a PWD can skip stages or have symptoms from different stages at the same time. For example, mostly stage 4 but is incontinent. However the info sheet that is on this link contradicts that. It states that people with AD do not skip stages or the symptoms listed on the scale.

I found this interesting because my mom needs help bathing, dressing, ( last month or so for those two) and is incontinent( over a year). So over the weekend I decided she was at stage 6. Yet she totally skipped over being unable to properly pick out attire appropriately for the season. Part of the reason for the skip is probably her mobility and fall issues.

Just curious about everyone else’s thoughts on the scale and info sheet

jfkoc

I do not agree with this FACT sheet. I doe not fit my husband at all and does not explain people in what we would think to be state seven singing old songs.

The disease is progressive. The best advice I can offer is to be prepared for all of it.

jfkoc

What is the key difference between hospice and palliative care?Hospice is comfort care without curative intent; the patient no longer has curative options or has chosen not to pursue treatment because the side effects outweigh the benefits. Palliative care is comfort care with or without curative intent.

fmb

I do not agree with the FACT sheet, either. My DH lost the ability to walk (7c) long before his verbal communication skills deteriorated (7a, 7b). It depends on the part of the brain affected by the disease. I find the Tam Cummings DBAT to be a much more comprehensive and accurate indicator of ALZ progression.

https://us.v-cdn.net/6037576/uploads/M85FKA0SKDC0/dbat.pdf

Even with the DBAT, DH, now in late Stage 7, skipped certain behaviors such as agitation & paranoia, sundowning, and being hyperoral, for example. As they say, if you've seen one person with dementia, you've seen one person with dementia.

H1235

It did say this was for Alzheimer’s dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common. With it symptoms very depending on the part of the brain affected and progresses in steps. Maybe people with symptoms out of order are also suffering some mild vascular dementia as well. ?????

Quilting brings calm

DBAT seems to fit mom better. Stage 5, with a couple stage 6 boxes checked. It is possible that she has another type of dementia. And physical issues too

harshedbuzz

@Quilting brings calm

My bad. It's been a rough week. I posted FAST because I already had the PDF open. I find the DBAT and Tam Cummings narrative more nuanced and prefer them. I posted it because the poster described her mom as "moving towards stage 6" when it was likely she'd been solidly there for some time. There's a lot of overlap.

I think, too, that other illnesses can impact how a PWD functions. The need for assistance bathing/dressing could be related to depression, CHF, COPD, arthritis or even vision loss.

HB

Quilting brings calm

@harshedbuzz

There’s no need for ‘my bad’. I’ve used the FAST scale before too. I just happened to read the info sheet this time ( for a change) and found that tidbit interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a post that said their loved one had every one of the FAST symptoms in order.

harshedbuzz

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/228217#Comment_228217

That's odd. I never noticed it either.

I've heard of plenty of PWD who suffered a bad fall in stage 4/5 and slamming right into stage 7. I saw it happen to my aunt.

HB