What is the first and most important thing you as a caregiver can do for a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease? Learn everything you can about the disease. This will help you not only in understanding what to expect but also in planning, managing, and making the most of available options.

Chapter Sixteen in this book, “Being and Thinking,” describes the characteristics of dementia, which can have many causes. It is estimated that in industrialized nations around the world, approximately 60% of dementia is attributed to Alzheimer's disease. Every seventy seconds, someone develops Alzheimer's disease; as many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with it now, and nine million cases are projected by 2040. This prevalent and devastating disease presents numerous challenges not only to patients, but also to caregivers. This chapter discusses a variety of issues that caregivers may confront in different stages of the disease and suggests further reading and useful resources.

Stages of the Disease

Although several scales have been developed to describe the progression of Alzheimer's disease, researchers and health professionals generally refer to three broad stages, characterized by the following usual symptoms:

Mild: The patient has difficulty concentrating and exhibits a diminished ability to plan and carry out household tasks, manage finances, or organize daily living.