CarlaB, The doc hasn’t staged my mom but I believe she is also moderately severe. The doc is fairly certain, as am I, she has mixed dementia, ALZ with a vascular element. She can still communicate in full sentences though much of what she says is not based in reality. She has no sense of time, her spatial orientation is compromised. By that I mean she has little awareness of what is around her so movement can be dangerous. She usually walks with a walker though at times needs a chair. She is very weak though and can’t walk far at all. She needs her food cut up for her and at times has difficulty getting it to her mouth. She is incontinent. Though she at times goes into the bathrooom herself, she doesn’t know what to do once there. She has sudden strong urges to use the bathroom that pass before she gets there. I think she often doesn’t receive or recognize the signals to go. She sleeps a lot and dreams a lot. Though distinguishing between dreams and hallucinations when I am not there to witness is impossible. She still has some awareness of her issues, especially lack of memory, though she will deny needing help with toileting. She sees others at her facility and is horrified at some of the behaviors and thinks she doesn’t belong there or at times tells me she just can’t get along with the people there. She is aware but unaware at the same time. Most of this has been to some degree for about the last eight months.

As you said, no two people have the same experience but I share your desire to know what to expect. I hope this helps.

Carla, I am interested to know how the neurologist determined your dad is at the beginning of Alz? Did he determine by symptomology or a specific mri?

Anna, thanks for your reply! My father is in the same boat as your mom. His neurologist indicated he is now at the beginning stage of ALZ; however he is in a later stage of vascular dementia. My father had a hemorrhagic stroke in 2008, and an ischemia stroke in 2018, both have left him with significant brain damage and impairment. What a long, long road…

Hi Helen,
Thank you for your reply! I’ve read a great deal regarding stages; however, I’m hoping to hear more about family member’s experiences.

Here's a link to the best info. It should answer all your questions.
https://www.dementiacarecentral.com/aboutdement...