{"id":4238,"date":"2026-07-24T15:35:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T15:35:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/?page_id=4238"},"modified":"2026-07-24T15:35:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T15:35:29","slug":"stages-of-dementia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/stages-of-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Stages of Dementia, Explained for Hendersonville Families"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"4238\" class=\"elementor elementor-4238\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0378a3d e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0378a3d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-325d566 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"325d566\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<style>\n.h5x{position:relative;margin:0 -100vw;padding:44px 100vw 48px;min-height:0;display:flex;align-items:center;overflow:hidden;background:#14120F;}\n.h5bg{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:calc(50% - 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This page walks through both frameworks in plain language, with the cues Hendersonville and Sumner County families usually notice first at home, and when most families decide to add in-home support.<\/p>\n  <ul class=\"h5chips\"><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>The 3-stage family model and the 7-stage clinical scale, side by side<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>What early, middle, and late stage actually look like at home<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>When Hendersonville families typically add in-home help<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n  <div class=\"h5btns\"><a class=\"h5btn\" href=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/contact\/\">Get Care Now<\/a><a class=\"h5tel\" href=\"tel:6159703737\">(615) 970-3737<\/a><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"h5card\">\n  <h3>At a glance<\/h3>\n  <dl>\n   <div><dt>Who this page is for<\/dt><dd>Families noticing memory or thinking changes in a loved one<\/dd><\/div>\n   <div><dt>Stage systems explained<\/dt><dd>Two: the 3-stage caregiving model and the 7-stage GDS scale<\/dd><\/div>\n   <div><dt>When families add help<\/dt><dd>Middle stage &mdash; usually after wandering, falls, or burnout<\/dd><\/div>\n   <div><dt>Typical outlook<\/dt><dd>4&ndash;8 years on average after diagnosis; some live up to 20<\/dd><\/div>\n  <\/dl>\n  <hr>\n  <dl><div><dt>Credentials you can verify<\/dt><dd>Certified Provider &middot; Licensed in Tennessee &middot; Home Care Pulse Award &middot; LPN on Care Team<\/dd><\/div><\/dl>\n  <hr>\n  <a class=\"h5btn\" href=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/contact\/\">Talk it through with us<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><script>(function(){var c=document.querySelector('.h5card');if(!c)return;if(window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches)return;if(!window.matchMedia('(hover: hover)').matches)return;c.addEventListener('mousemove',function(e){var r=c.getBoundingClientRect();var x=(e.clientX-r.left)\/r.width-.5,y=(e.clientY-r.top)\/r.height-.5;c.style.transform='perspective(900px) rotateY('+(x*4).toFixed(2)+'deg) rotateX('+(-y*4).toFixed(2)+'deg) translateY(-2px)';});c.addEventListener('mouseleave',function(){c.style.transform='';});})();<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4a6626 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a4a6626\" data-element_type=\"container\" 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p{margin:0;color:#CFC9BE;line-height:1.65;max-width:640px;}\n.pb-btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:9px;background:linear-gradient(92deg,#A4C422,#7B9218);color:#fff !important;font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:15.5px;padding:13px 22px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(164,196,34,.3);transition:transform .2s ease;white-space:nowrap;}\n.pb-btn:hover{transform:translateY(-2px);}\n.pb-paths3{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:22px;}\n@media(max-width:900px){.pb-paths3{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}\n.pb-path{background:#fff;border:1px solid #E7E3DB;border-radius:16px;padding:24px 24px;box-shadow:0 4px 18px rgba(94,80,79,.07);}\n.pb-path .pb-pg{color:#746D62;background:#F0EDE6;border:none;}\n.pb-path h3{margin:0 0 8px;font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:17.5px;color:#3A3731;}\n.pb-path p{margin:0;font-size:13.5px;line-height:1.6;color:#746D62;}\n\/* versus *\/\n.pb-vs{position:relative;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:26px;align-items:stretch;}\n@media(max-width:800px){.pb-vs{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}\n.pb-vcol{background:#fff;border:1px solid #E7E3DB;border-radius:18px;padding:26px 28px;box-shadow:0 4px 18px rgba(94,80,79,.07);}\n.pb-vcol h3{margin:0 0 16px;font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:20px;color:#5E504F;text-align:center;}\n.pb-vcol ul{list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;display:flex;flex-direction:column;}\n.pb-vcol li{display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:14px;padding:12px 4px;border-top:1px solid #F0EDE6;font-size:15px;}\n.pb-vcol li b{font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;color:#746D62;font-size:13.5px;letter-spacing:.03em;text-transform:uppercase;align-self:center;}\n.pb-vcol li span{font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;color:#3A3731;}\n.pb-vwin{border:2px solid #A4C422;background:linear-gradient(180deg,#FDFEF8,#F6F8EF);box-shadow:0 12px 34px rgba(164,196,34,.18);}\n.pb-vwin h3{color:#7B9218;}\n.pb-vwin li span{color:#4F640B;}\n.pb-vbadge{position:absolute;left:50%;top:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%);z-index:2;width:56px;height:56px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;background:#26221D;color:#C8E06B;font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:17px;border-radius:50%;box-shadow:0 8px 24px rgba(0,0,0,.3);border:3px solid #FBFAF7;}\n@media(max-width:800px){.pb-vbadge{display:none;}}\n\/* faq *\/\n.pb-faqs{columns:2;column-gap:22px;}\n@media(max-width:900px){.pb-faqs{columns:1;}}\n.pb-faq{break-inside:avoid;margin-bottom:16px;background:#fff;border:1px solid #E7E3DB;border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:0 3px 14px rgba(94,80,79,.06);}\n.pb-faq summary{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;cursor:pointer;list-style:none;padding:17px 20px;font-family:'Raleway',sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;color:#3A3731;}\n.pb-faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none;}\n.pb-faq summary span{flex:1;}\n.pb-faq summary em{flex:none;display:inline-flex;transition:transform .3s ease;}\n.pb-faq[open] summary{color:#7B9218;}\n.pb-faq[open] summary em{transform:rotate(45deg);}\n.pb-fb{padding:0 20px 18px;}\n.pb-fb p{margin:0;color:#746D62;line-height:1.7;font-size:14.5px;}\n<\/style><div class=\"pb\"><div class=\"pb-prog\"><i><\/i><\/div><div class=\"pb-shell\"><aside class=\"pb-rail\"><p>In this guide<\/p><a href=\"#pb-answers\" data-t=\"pb-answers\"><b>01<\/b><span>What the Stages Tell You<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-who\" data-t=\"pb-who\"><b>02<\/b><span>The Three Stages<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-home\" data-t=\"pb-home\"><b>03<\/b><span>Day-to-Day Reality<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-process\" data-t=\"pb-process\"><b>04<\/b><span>How We Help<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-team\" data-t=\"pb-team\"><b>05<\/b><span>Our Local Team<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-paths\" data-t=\"pb-paths\"><b>06<\/b><span>The 7 GDS Stages<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-compare\" data-t=\"pb-compare\"><b>07<\/b><span>Family vs Added Help<\/span><\/a><a href=\"#pb-faq\" data-t=\"pb-faq\"><b>08<\/b><span>Questions Families Ask<\/span><\/a><div class=\"pb-railcta\"><p>Questions right now?<\/p><a href=\"tel:6159703737\">(615) 970-3737<\/a><\/div><\/aside><div class=\"pb-main\"><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-answers\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">Plain language, before you diagnose from a chart<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">What the Stages of Dementia Actually Tell You<\/h2><p class=\"pb-sub\">Most families reach this page after hearing a stage number from a doctor or a support group. Here is what the two staging systems answer before you read anything else.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-lrow pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:0ms\">\n <span class=\"pb-ln\">Q1<\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-lq\"><h3>Why do the stage numbers not match?<\/h3><p>Doctors and support groups are not disagreeing &mdash; they use two different tools built for two different jobs, and both describe the same condition.<\/p><\/div>\n <ul class=\"pb-ll\"><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>3-stage model: built for family caregiving decisions<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>7-stage GDS scale: built for diagnosis and research<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Stages overlap &mdash; it is a pattern, not a schedule<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"pb-lrow pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:70ms\">\n <span class=\"pb-ln\">Q2<\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-lq\"><h3>Which stage is my loved one in?<\/h3><p>The behaviors matter more than the number. Repeating questions and missed bills point early; bathing conflict, wandering, and sundowning point to the middle; loss of speech and mobility mark the late stage.<\/p><\/div>\n <ul class=\"pb-ll\"><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Early: repeated questions, slipping bills and appointments<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Middle: bathing help, wandering risk, sundowning agitation<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Late: full assistance, swallowing difficulty, comfort focus<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"pb-lrow pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:140ms\">\n <span class=\"pb-ln\">Q3<\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-lq\"><h3>When should we add in-home help?<\/h3><p>There is no single right stage. Most Hendersonville families call in the middle stage &mdash; usually after a wandering incident, a fall, or the moment the primary caregiver realizes they are running on empty.<\/p><\/div>\n <ul class=\"pb-ll\"><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Early stage: reminders and companion visits often suffice<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Middle stage: personal care hours reduce daily conflict<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Late stage: extended hours alongside hospice partners<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"pb-lrow pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:210ms\">\n <span class=\"pb-ln\">Q4<\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-lq\"><h3>How fast does dementia progress?<\/h3><p>The Alzheimer&#8217;s Association reports an average of 4 to 8 years after diagnosis, though some people live as long as 20. Type matters: vascular dementia often moves in step-wise drops, Lewy body varies more.<\/p><\/div>\n <ul class=\"pb-ll\"><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Average 4&ndash;8 years after diagnosis<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Some people live up to 20 years<\/span><\/li><li><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 23 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M22.5063 0.191225C20.616 1.31814 18.4795 2.93148 16.4706 4.75089C14.8516 6.21755 13.1248 7.98498 11.5256 9.81182C10.4223 11.0743 9.23276 12.5428 8.15823 13.9705C7.78448 14.468 6.81776 15.801 6.51409 16.241C6.35776 16.4675 6.27151 16.577 6.25354 16.5715C6.23917 16.5678 4.87175 15.7732 3.21682 14.8078L0.207058 13.0496L0.138777 13.1295C0.10284 13.174 0.0633083 13.2223 0.0543239 13.239C0.0381521 13.2687 0.293308 13.5769 6.79979 21.3725L7.32268 22H7.39456H7.46643L7.87432 21.159C9.88862 17.017 11.867 13.6066 14.1113 10.4059C16.5856 6.88034 19.3869 3.63325 22.5386 0.642365C22.7632 0.428862 22.9465 0.248777 22.9465 0.241352C22.9465 0.232069 22.8225 0.050127 22.7992 0.0259933C22.7956 0.0241356 22.6644 0.0983982 22.5063 0.191225Z\" fill=\"#A4C422\"\/><\/svg><span>Each stage&#8217;s length varies person to person<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/section><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-who\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">Real weeks at home, not clinical charts<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">The Three Caregiving Stages, As Families Live Them<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"pb-prow pb-rv\">\n <span class=\"pb-pimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/07\/pcah-2025-images-227-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><i>01<\/i><\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-ptxt\"><h3>Early Stage: The Signs Families Miss First<\/h3><p>Forgetting familiar words mid-sentence, asking the same question three times at a holiday gathering, losing the drive home from the Gallatin grocery store, or struggling with a checkbook kept for forty years. A little companion care at this stage eases the bill-paying and appointment load before it becomes a conflict.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pb-prow pb-flip pb-rv\">\n <span class=\"pb-pimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/07\/pcah-2025-images-212-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><i>02<\/i><\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-ptxt\"><h3>Middle Stage: When One Person Can&#8217;t Sustain It<\/h3><p>Trouble choosing weather-appropriate clothes becomes routine, wandering starts, and sundowning agitation shows up late in the afternoon. Bathing needs help &mdash; and a caregiver outside the family relationship can often handle it without the tension. This is when most families first call.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"pb-prow pb-rv\">\n <span class=\"pb-pimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/07\/pcah-2025-images-156-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><i>03<\/i><\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-ptxt\"><h3>Late Stage: Comfort, Safety, and Planning<\/h3><p>Speech narrows to a few words, walking and swallowing become difficult, and care needs become total. Focus shifts from managing behaviors to protecting comfort and dignity &mdash; many families pair hospice with in-home support, and planning conversations about directives and comfort goals matter most here.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-home\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">The scale of the caring<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">What the Stages Look Like Day to Day<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"pb-statwrap\">\n   <div class=\"pb-bigstat pb-rv\"><b>4&ndash;8<\/b><i>years is the average life expectancy after an Alzheimer&#8217;s diagnosis, per the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association &mdash; and unpaid caregivers provided more than 19 billion hours of dementia care in 2025<\/i>\n    <p>Middle-stage care usually requires more than one family member can provide alone. Signs it is time to bring help in: the stove left on more than once, bathing turned into a weekly conflict, a missed medication routine, a wandering incident, or a caregiver who hasn&#8217;t slept a full night in a month.<\/p><\/div>\n   <div class=\"pb-hcard pb-rv\"><h3>Different Dementias, Different Weeks<\/h3><p>Vascular dementia can drop step-wise after strokes rather than slide slowly. Lewy bodies often add visual hallucinations. Frontotemporal dementia can start with personality change instead of memory loss &mdash; so two families describing &#8220;stage 5&#8221; may be describing very different weeks.<\/p><\/div>\n   <div class=\"pb-hcard pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:90ms\"><h3>Watch the Pattern, Not the Number<\/h3><p>Reading across the row is what matters more than the stage number. The behaviors and the support needs are what families act on, whether the chart says &#8220;stage 5&#8221; or &#8220;middle stage.&#8221; The CDC&#8217;s distinction hinges on whether thinking and function are staying intact overall &mdash; not whether one thing slipped once.<\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div><\/section><style>.pb-mos{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1.2fr 1fr 1fr;gap:18px;margin:8px 0 0;}@media(max-width:800px){.pb-mos{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}.pb-mos span{display:block;height:230px;border-radius:16px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:0 10px 28px rgba(94,80,79,.16);}.pb-mos img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:center 25%;display:block;transition:transform .6s ease;}.pb-mos span:hover img{transform:scale(1.05);}<\/style><div class=\"pb-mos\"><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/07\/pcah-2025-images-266-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/07\/pcah-2025-images-231-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/07\/pcah-2025-images-178-scaled-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/span><\/div><div style=\"height:56px\"><\/div><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-process\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">From first worry to steady support<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">How We Support Families at Every Stage<\/h2><p class=\"pb-sub\">Where a local home care team fits &mdash; from the first &#8220;is this normal aging?&#8221; call to around-the-clock late-stage support.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-steps\"><div class=\"pb-st pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:0ms\"><span class=\"pb-stn\">1<\/span>\n <h4>Free Care Conversation<\/h4><p>We take your call at (615) 970-3737, listen to what a normal week looks like, and help you sort normal aging from patterns worth acting on. No stage label required.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-st pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:80ms\"><span class=\"pb-stn\">2<\/span>\n <h4>A Stage-Matched Care Plan<\/h4><p>Early stage may mean a few companion visits a week; middle stage usually means personal care hours; late stage often means extended coverage coordinated with hospice. We build around the week you are actually having.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-st pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:160ms\"><span class=\"pb-stn\">3<\/span>\n <h4>Caregiver Matched by Personality<\/h4><p>Dementia care lives on trust and routine, so we match caregivers by personality rather than availability &mdash; and keep the same faces coming back.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-st pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:240ms\"><span class=\"pb-stn\">4<\/span>\n <h4>Care That Adjusts as Stages Change<\/h4><p>When wandering starts or sundowning deepens, hours and routines adjust without starting over. Our LPN provides clinical oversight as needs shift.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-st pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:320ms\"><span class=\"pb-stn\">5<\/span>\n <h4>Coordination Through Late Stage<\/h4><p>Our Transition Liaison helps families coordinate with hospice and hospital teams &mdash; Vanderbilt and Sumner Regional are frequent partners &mdash; so comfort stays at the center of daily life at home.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-team\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">Walking beside you<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">How Our Local Team Supports Dementia Families<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"pb-team\">\n   <div class=\"pb-tcard pb-rv\"><h4>Locally Owned in Hendersonville<\/h4><p>Preferred Care at Home of Hendersonville is owned by Quin Christensen and Richard Patterson, who both came to this work after watching close family members age. Richard found his calling at 14, working in an assisted living facility; the relationships he built there gave him purpose that never left.<\/p><\/div>\n   <div class=\"pb-tcard pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:80ms\"><h4>A Team Built for Dementia Care<\/h4><p>Our care team includes Melissa Maxfield, a Licensed Practical Nurse who provides clinical oversight, and Lisa Barry, our Transition Liaison, who helps families coordinate with hospice and hospital teams so nothing falls through the cracks between care teams.<\/p><\/div>\n   <div class=\"pb-tcard pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:160ms\"><h4>A Provider That Explains, Not Overpromises<\/h4><p>We hold Certified Preferred Provider status and have been recognized by Home Care Pulse as an Employer of Choice. Caregivers are matched by personality, not just availability &mdash; which matters twice as much when dementia is part of the picture.<\/p><\/div>\n  <\/div><\/section><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-paths\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">The clinical scale, decoded<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">The 7 GDS Stages at a Glance<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"pb-pathhero pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-flag\">Where most families are when they call<\/span>\n <div><span class=\"pb-pg\">GDS 1&ndash;3<\/span><h3>No Signs Through Early Decline<\/h3><p>From no memory changes, to occasional word-finding and misplaced keys, to repeating questions and missed appointments. Support ranges from none to reminders and light companionship.<\/p><\/div>\n <a class=\"pb-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/contact\/\">Ask about companion care<\/a><\/div><div class=\"pb-paths3\"><div class=\"pb-path pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:0ms\"><span class=\"pb-pg\">GDS 4&ndash;5<\/span><h3>Moderate Decline &mdash; the Turning Point<\/h3><p>Trouble with bills and complex tasks, then needing help choosing clothes and staying oriented to dates. This is where companion hours typically grow into daily in-home help &mdash; and where most families call.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-path pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:80ms\"><span class=\"pb-pg\">GDS 6<\/span><h3>Severe Decline &mdash; Hands-On Daily Care<\/h3><p>Help needed with bathing and dressing, personality changes, wandering risk, and pronounced sundowning. Extended in-home care hours usually enter the picture here.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-path pb-rv\" style=\"transition-delay:160ms\"><span class=\"pb-pg\">GDS 7<\/span><h3>&mdash; Late Stage<\/h3><p>Loss of speech beyond a few words, loss of mobility, difficulty swallowing, and total dependence. Medicare hospice guidelines often use FAST stage 7c plus complications to estimate prognosis; families typically pair hospice with around-the-clock support at home.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/section><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-compare\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">Two legitimate answers<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">Family-Only Support Versus Adding In-Home Care<\/h2><p class=\"pb-sub\">Early on, reminders and family check-ins usually work. The question is what a sustainable week looks like once bathing conflict, wandering risk, or caregiver exhaustion arrives &mdash; and both answers below are legitimate.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"pb-vs pb-rv\">\n <div class=\"pb-vcol\"><h3>Family-Only Support<\/h3>\n  <ul><li><b>Early stage<\/b><span>Usually enough<\/span><\/li><li><b>Wandering risk<\/b><span>Hard to sustain 24\/7<\/span><\/li>\n      <li><b>Bathing conflict<\/b><span>Often a standoff<\/span><\/li><li><b>Caregiver rest<\/b><span>Burnout is common<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n <span class=\"pb-vbadge\">VS<\/span>\n <div class=\"pb-vcol pb-vwin\"><h3>Adding In-Home Care<\/h3>\n  <ul><li><b>Early stage<\/b><span>Companion visits help<\/span><\/li><li><b>Wandering risk<\/b><span>Extended-hours coverage<\/span><\/li>\n      <li><b>Bathing conflict<\/b><span>A non-family caregiver defuses it<\/span><\/li><li><b>Caregiver rest<\/b><span>Respite preserves the family<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section><section class=\"pb-anchor\" id=\"pb-faq\"><div class=\"pb-shead pb-rv\"><span class=\"pb-eyebrow\">Straight answers<\/span><h2 class=\"pb-h2\">Dementia Stage Questions Families Ask Us<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"pb-faqs\"><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\" open><summary><span>What's the difference between the 3 stages and the 7 stages of dementia?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>The 3-stage model is a caregiving framework from the Alzheimer&#8217;s Association (early, middle, late), while the 7-stage model is the Global Deterioration Scale, a clinical tool introduced by Barry Reisberg in 1982.<br><br>Doctors lean on the seven stages because they track specific cognitive and functional markers; families lean on the 3-stage model because it maps to daily caregiving decisions.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>At what stage should dementia patients go into care?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>There is no single stage. Middle-stage dementia usually requires greater care and late stage requires intensive care, but the trigger for most Hendersonville families is a specific event &mdash; a wandering incident, a fall, or caregiver burnout.<br><br>Preferred Care at Home often starts with a few hours a week of dementia in-home care and adjusts as needs change.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>What are the symptoms of Stage 4 Alzheimer&#8217;s?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>Stage 4 on the Global Deterioration Scale is moderate cognitive decline: trouble with complex tasks like managing finances, short-term memory gaps for recent events, and reduced ability to handle bills, travel, or shopping alone.<br><br>Many families notice changes for the first time at stage 4, though the underlying decline usually started well before it became obvious.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>What stage of dementia is refusing to bathe?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>Bathing refusal typically appears in the middle stages (GDS 5&ndash;6), when the person struggles with the sequence of showering, may feel cold or exposed, or no longer recognizes the need for hygiene.<br><br>Caregivers matched by personality often help where family relationships make the task harder &mdash; it is the single most common reason families look into personal in-home care.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>What stage of dementia is sundowning?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>Sundowning &mdash; increased confusion and agitation in late afternoon and evening &mdash; appears most often in the middle and later stages, and becomes most pronounced around GDS stage 6 for many families.<br><br>Fatigue, lower light, and disruption to the body&#8217;s internal clock all seem to play a role, which is why routines and consistent evening lighting often help more than reasoning does.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>How long can someone live with dementia?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>The Alzheimer&#8217;s Association reports an average of 4 to 8 years after an Alzheimer&#8217;s diagnosis, though some people live as long as 20 years depending on age, dementia type, and other health conditions. Vascular dementia typically progresses faster than Alzheimer&#8217;s; Lewy body dementia varies more from person to person.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>What are the signs of end-stage dementia?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>End-stage dementia (GDS stage 7) includes loss of speech beyond a few words, inability to walk without assistance, difficulty swallowing, and total dependence for personal care.<br><br>Medicare hospice guidelines often use FAST stage 7c plus complications to estimate prognosis; families at this stage typically pair hospice with end-of-life in-home care to keep comfort and familiarity at the center.<\/p><\/div><\/details><details class=\"pb-faq pb-rv\"><summary><span>What is mild cognitive impairment, and is it dementia?<\/span>\n <em><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12 5v14M5 12h14\" stroke=\"#7B9218\" stroke-width=\"2.4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/em><\/summary>\n <div class=\"pb-fb\"><p>Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is measurable memory or thinking change beyond normal aging that does not yet interfere with daily living. It is not dementia, though it can be an early point on the Alzheimer&#8217;s continuum for some people.<br><br>The CDC reported that in 2023 caregivers provided about 18.4 billion hours of dementia care &mdash; a signal of how large the load becomes once MCI progresses into something more.<\/p><\/div><\/details><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What's the difference between the 3 stages and the 7 stages of dementia?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 3-stage model is a caregiving framework from the Alzheimer's Association (early, middle, late), while the 7-stage model is the Global Deterioration Scale introduced by Barry Reisberg in 1982. 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It is not dementia, though it can be an early stage in the Alzheimer's continuum for some people.\"}}]}<\/script><\/section><\/div><\/div><\/div><script>\n(function(){\n var bar=document.querySelector('.pb-prog i');\n if(bar){addEventListener('scroll',function(){var h=document.documentElement;\n  var p=h.scrollTop\/(h.scrollHeight-h.clientHeight);bar.style.width=(p*100)+'%';},{passive:true});}\n var io=new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(e){if(e.isIntersecting){e.target.classList.add('pb-in');io.unobserve(e.target);}});},{threshold:.1});\n document.querySelectorAll('.pb-rv').forEach(function(el){io.observe(el);});\n var st=document.querySelector('.pb-cnt');\n if(st){var cio=new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(e){if(!e.isIntersecting)return;cio.disconnect();\n  var n=2580,t0=null;function f(ts){if(!t0)t0=ts;var p=Math.min((ts-t0)\/1400,1);\n   st.textContent=Math.round(n*(1-Math.pow(1-p,3))).toLocaleString();if(p<1)requestAnimationFrame(f);}\n  if(matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches){st.textContent='2,580';}else{requestAnimationFrame(f);}});},{threshold:.5});\n  cio.observe(st);}\n var links=document.querySelectorAll('.pb-rail a[data-t]');\n var map={};links.forEach(function(a){var t=a.getAttribute('data-t');if(t){(map[t]=map[t]||[]).push(a);}});\n var spy=new IntersectionObserver(function(es){es.forEach(function(e){var id=e.target.id;if(!map[id])return;\n  if(e.isIntersecting){links.forEach(function(a){a.classList.remove('pb-on');});map[id].forEach(function(a){a.classList.add('pb-on');});}});},\n  {rootMargin:'-20% 0px -70% 0px'});\n document.querySelectorAll('section.pb-anchor').forEach(function(s){spy.observe(s);});\n})();\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70c9e4a e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"70c9e4a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-918155a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"918155a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Not Sure Which Stage You&#8217;re Looking At?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf50e5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf50e5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"color:#FFFFFF;text-align:center;\">You don&#8217;t need the right label to make the call.<br>Describe a normal week to our Hendersonville team and we&#8217;ll help you figure out what kind of support fits.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46b5ee6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"46b5ee6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/preferhome.com\/locations\/hendersonville\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get Care Now<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7948105 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7948105\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fce5e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"5fce5e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c132863 e-con-boxed e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c132863\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80ab338 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"80ab338\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":"","_et_pb_custom_css":""},"class_list":["post-4238","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_et_pb_custom_css":"","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.7 (Yoast SEO v21.7) - 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