Educational guide
What stage might we be in?
A gentle way to notice changing support needs and prepare questions for the care team.
A better question
What help is needed today?
Stages can be useful for planning, but everyday care needs are often more practical. Notice what the person can do safely, what now requires help, and what is creating stress or risk. Write down changes and bring them to the care team.
Contact a healthcare professional promptly about a sudden or major change. If anyone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Support may look like
Earlier changes
A person may still live quite independently while needing more support with planning, appointments, transportation, finances, or unfamiliar tasks.
Questions to consider
- What tasks now need reminders or a second set of eyes?
- Which legal, financial, and care-planning conversations should happen while the person can participate?
- What simple home-safety changes would help now?
Support may look like
Increasing daily support
Communication, routines, judgment, personal care, meals, medications, sleep, or finding the way may become harder. Care needs can change gradually or unevenly.
Questions to consider
- Which parts of the day are becoming difficult or unsafe?
- Would a simpler routine, more supervision, respite, or in-home help reduce stress?
- What changes should we share with the clinician?
Support may look like
Extensive support
A person may need close or around-the-clock help with movement, eating, personal care, communication, comfort, and safety. Preserving dignity and quality of life remains central.
Questions to consider
- Is the current setting able to provide safe care day and night?
- What comfort, mobility, nutrition, or swallowing concerns need professional guidance?
- What support does the caregiver need right now?
Bring this to an appointment
Helpful observations—not a self-diagnosis
- Changes in memory, communication, judgment, sleep, movement, eating, or personal care
- What changed, when it began, how often it happens, and how it affects safety or daily life
- Current medications, recent illnesses or falls, and questions from family caregivers
Trusted information
Read more from the Alzheimer’s Association stages and behaviors guide ↗ and the National Institute on Aging overview ↗.
Along the Way Care provides educational caregiver resources and is not a substitute for medical, legal, financial, or emergency advice.
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