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What Should You Expect When Caring for a Senior in Middle-Stage Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia. This means that the condition will get worse and change, and your parent’s symptoms and needs will increase as they move through this disease. While each person who develops Alzheimer’s will experience the disease in their own way, encountering their own symptoms and moving through the disease at their own pace, there are basic stages that each person goes through. The longest of these stages is generally the middle stage, also referred to as moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Elderly Care in Petaluma CA: Middle Stage Alzheimer's

Elderly Care in Petaluma CA: Middle Stage Alzheimer’s

Moderate Alzheimer’s disease is the stage at which the challenges that your aging parent faces will become much more obvious and they may no longer be able to live independently. This stage can last for many years, during which the symptoms and challenges will continue to evolve and worsen for your parent, and care responsibilities will continue to increase for you.

During this stage the cell and nerve damage that began to occur during pre-clinical Alzheimer’s and continued through the mild stage will continue to worsen. This will lead to changes in your parent’s function and behaviors, and because at this stage many elderly adults are still very aware of what they are experiencing, there may be a considerable amount of anger and frustration.

Communication issues worsen during this time and you may find it harder to interact with your parent. This can also contribute to issues such as negative behaviors, lashing out, depression, and other serious problems. At this stage it is extremely important that you focus on maintaining your relationship and connection with your aging parent. This will bring more meaning into your care arrangement, and help you to be the best caregiver possible for them now, while preserving your quality of life and memories when this relationship comes to an end.

During this time your parent’s care team, including elderly care, will be instrumental in helping them handle the needs and challenges that they are experiencing now, and prepare for those that will come in the future.


If you have been looking for ways to enhance your aging parent’s quality of life and ensure that they are getting everything that they need as they age in place, starting elderly care for them may be the ideal solution. An elderly home care services provider can be with your aging loved one on a customized schedule that works for them. This means that they will have access to ongoing care, support, and assistance, but you can continue to give them all of the care that you are able and willing to give them. Through a set of highly personalized services, this care provider will help your parent to address their individual needs, challenges, and limitations while also encouraging them to maintain a lifestyle that is as healthy, independent, safe, comfortable, active, and fulfilling as possible throughout their later years. These services can be particularly valuable if your senior is living with health issues and challenges, such as Alzheimer’s disease, that require care and assistance on a regular basis.




Lucy Andrews DNP, RN, MS










