This scale divides the disease into seven stages. Whichever staging system is used, or if none is used, it's important to remember that the disease affects each person differently. The order in which the symptoms appear and the length of each stage will vary from person to person. There is no clear line when one stage ends and another begins. In many cases, stages will overlap.
Some people experience many of the symptoms in each stage, while others experience only a few.
There may be fluctuations from day to day, with a person appearing more confused one day, for example, and less so another. Alzheimer Society of Canada 1997-2001. All rights reserved.