How many stages are there of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is generally understood to progress through seven distinct stages, as outlined in the commonly referenced model which divides the disease into different phases based on the severity of symptoms and cognitive decline. These stages range from the initial stage, characterized by mild memory loss, to more advanced stages where individuals lose the ability to communicate and require full assistance with daily living activities.

The seven stages provide a comprehensive framework that aids healthcare professionals and caregivers in understanding the progression of the disease, allowing them to tailor support and care to the individual’s specific needs at each phase. This model emphasizes the varying degrees of cognitive impairment, from normal aging to severe dementia, reflecting the complexity and individuality of the disease's progression.

While other answers propose fewer stages, they do not capture the full range of symptomatology recognized by current medical consensus. Therefore, the identification of seven stages aligns with prevalent clinical understanding and research regarding the nuances of Alzheimer’s disease.