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Determining "Stages"

Watsonwoman
Watsonwoman Member Posts: 1 Member
in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

Caring for my DH will be made easier if I can determine where he is in his progression. I noticed that many of the posts mention "Stage 3" or "Stage 6". I am not familiar with this staging technique. On the Alzheimer Assoc website there are three stages mentioned. Can someone help me understand the difference? Thanks for a reply.

Comments

  • SiberianIris
    SiberianIris Member Posts: 57
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    Member

    There are various staging tools. I prefer the DBAT, which stands for Dementia Behavior Assessment Tool. It can be found here:

    https://www.tamcummings.com/tools/

    More staging tools can be found here:

    https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/aboutdementia/facts/stages/

  • Chance Rider
    Chance Rider Member Posts: 49
    10 Comments 5 Care Reactions 5 Likes
    Member

    SiberianIris - thank you, the links you provided will be very helpful to me. Husband was just diagnosed last week, I appreciate having resources.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 5,610
    Eighth Anniversary 5000 Comments 1,000 Insightfuls Reactions 1,000 Likes
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    @Watsonwoman

    Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

    IME, clinicians tend to talk about Alzheimer's using a 3-stage model based on treatments available. Caregivers tend to favor a 7-stage model that aligns more with the realities of caregiving especially as it related to loss of IADLs/ADLs and safety issues.

    I like the Tam Cumming's DBAT as it has age equivalencies listed which serve as a convenient gut-check around things like driving or staying home alone.

    HB

  • Vitruvius
    Vitruvius Member Posts: 396
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    I also find the Fisher document informative due to its narrative format. The Stages are essentially the same as the Tam Cummings’ DBAT but with more explanation.

    https://www.alzinfo.org/understand-alzheimers/clinical-stages-of-alzheimers/

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 2,054
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    Member

    Welcome. Sorry about your husband's diagnosis. This forum is what helped me the most after my husband's diagnosis. If you haven't already, I would read the book "The 36 Hour Day" which was recommended by a nurse. Also search for caregiving videos online. Tam Cummings & Teepa Snow have good ones. Learn all you can about this disease and it will help you help him. Also, If you haven't done so, meet with an elder care attorney immediately and get papers in order. DPOA, HIPPA, wills, Living wills-DNR's. Come here often for info, support or just to vent.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more

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