Glossary

What is Stages of dementia?

The stages of dementia are a way of describing progression, most often as early, middle and late, or on a seven-point scale from no impairment to very severe decline.

Early stage: the person is largely independent but forgetful and needs help with planning. Middle stage, usually the longest: help with daily tasks, behaviour changes, wandering, sundowning. Late stage: full-time care, loss of speech and mobility.

Stages are a guide, not a timetable; people move through them at very different rates and not always in order.

Why it matters

Families use the stage to judge what care is needed now and to prepare for what comes next.

Stages of dementia where you live

The local guide on this, for each city we cover.

Related terms

All terms