The National Institute on Aging describes Alzheimer’s disease as a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults, and in most people the symptoms first appear later in life (NIA). The slow course gives families time to plan.
OPA has separate guides for early-onset Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. This guide is for families caring for an older adult whose Alzheimer’s symptoms began later in life.
Mild stage: plan while the person can lead
In the mild stage, as the NIA fact sheet describes it, a person may get lost, have trouble with money, and show personality changes, while still living much of an ordinary life. Home support at this stage is often light: rides, help with bills and appointments, a weekly check on the refrigerator and the pill box.
This is the time for the person to make decisions while they still can. A financial power of attorney, a Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care, and other wishes about future care are easier to settle now. OPA’s guide to legal papers explains which document does what. Involve the person in every choice about their own care.
Moderate stage: build the routine and the team
In the moderate stage, confusion increases, and the person may struggle to recognize family or learn new things. Help with bathing, dressing, toileting, and meals often becomes daily. Supervision matters more, especially around the stove, the car, money, and the front door.
A steady routine helps. So does writing that routine down so anyone stepping in can follow it. OPA’s free What a Good Day Looks Like sheet records how the person starts the morning, what they eat, what calms them, and the names and stories they return to.
Restlessness and confusion can increase as daylight fades. The NIA calls this sundowning and suggests a regular schedule, daylight and activity during the day, and less caffeine and fewer long naps late in the day (NIA).
Severe stage: plan for full care
In the severe stage, the person depends on others for nearly everything and may lose the ability to communicate in words. Care can be needed around the clock, including help with eating, moving, and skin care. Families at this stage decide whether full-time care at home is workable for the household and talk with the clinician about comfort-focused options, including hospice when the time comes.
Questions to ask a home care provider
What dementia training do your caregivers have?
How do you write down the person’s routine, and how does a substitute caregiver learn it before the first shift?
How will you tell us about changes you notice?
Can you cover evenings, overnights, or live-in care if we need them later?
Look after the caregiver
Plan regular breaks for the main caregiver. OPA’s free Getting a Week Off worksheet turns a needed break into a coverage plan.
A first step this week
Write down which stage best describes your family member today and the next change you expect. Then list one thing to arrange before that change arrives.
To talk about support at home for a family member with Alzheimer’s, see how care starts at OPA.
Laws and official forms change, and the legal references here can change. Confirm the current requirements before you act. Confirm them with a licensed Georgia attorney. This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Bring sudden changes in thinking or behavior to the person’s clinician, and call 911 for an immediate emergency.
For a reliable next step, use National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s disease information for the official details, then use live-in care when your family needs to organize support at home.
For a related decision, Alzheimer’s Association dementia information can help frame the question, and this site’s dementia-care guide offers a practical next step.
Clinical guidance for the home plan
The MedlinePlus's Alzheimer's overview describes progressive changes in memory and thinking. Use this guidance to prepare questions for the treating team; the person's own clinical instructions determine the care plan.
The National Institute on Aging's home-safety checklist recommends reviewing household hazards as abilities change. Use this guidance to prepare questions for the treating team; the person's own clinical instructions determine the care plan.
Turn the instructions into a shared home plan
Use the Care Coordination Grid from OPA's Knowledge Center to name who handles appointments, daily routines, and the next handoff. Keep the treating team's instructions and contact details alongside the schedule. Confirm the required tasks and schedule before care starts.
