What Stage of Alzheimer's Does Shadowing Occur

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that leads to memory loss, confusion, and loss of independence. It’s currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Since it progresses over time, its main stages are often classified into three parts: the early stage (mild), the middle stage (moderate), and the late stage (severe). This article focuses on two specific symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: Shadowing and increased sleep. After explaining both characteristics and their roles in Alzheimer’s, we will explore at what stages they commonly occur.

What is Shadowing?

Alzheimer’s patients often want to stay close to caregivers, friends, or family members and insist on always being with them. They may frequently follow their loved ones around and experience anxiety, distress, or even fear if these people are out of their sight. These intense emotions are usually triggered by common Alzheimer's symptoms such as memory loss, insecurity, and confusion about their surroundings, as well as a fear of being alone under the difficult and often frightening circumstances of this progressive disease.

Therefore, familiar routines and especially trusted people become even more important, since they provide affected individuals with a sense of safety, even if they do not understand where they are or what is happening around them. Shadowing can lead someone to repeatedly ask the same questions, cling to others, or struggle to accept being in a different room from their caregiver, friend, or family member.

What Stage of Alzheimer's does Shadowing Occur?

Shadowing usually occurs in the moderate to late stages of Alzheimer’s and becomes more pronounced as memory and cognitive abilities decline. At this stage, many patients require assistance with everyday tasks, such as getting dressed, or even around-the-clock care. During the moderate stage, shadowing is accompanied by worsening symptoms such as difficulty communicating, changes in mood and personality, and inappropriate behavior. In the final, severe stage, these symptoms further intensify, and patients are ultimately unable to communicate clearly, walk, sit, or swallow and become highly vulnerable to infections.

When Do Alzheimer's Patients Sleep a Lot?

Since Alzheimer’s disease severely damages the human brain through the formation of plaques and the disruption of vital processes, brain cells begin to die, and the brain starts shrinking. Additionally, a disturbed sleep-wake cycle, along with a decrease in physical activity and social interaction, can contribute to daytime sleepiness. These processes slow down mental and physical functions and explain why Alzheimer's patients often sleep a lot.

Since many patients still lead relatively normal lives during the first, relatively mild stage of Alzheimer’s, this phenomenon can usually first be observed in the moderate stage and becomes most noticeable in the severe phase of the disease when many patients sleep for most of the day. It is also crucial to remember that new symptoms, such as extreme fatigue, can be a symptom of other health conditions, like infections, depression or side effects from Alzheimer's medications. Therefore, new symptoms should always be evaluated by a physician.

Treatment Options and the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease

Although Alzheimer's symptoms can significantly impact a patient's life, there are various medications that can help alleviate symptoms, slow down the progression of the disease, and improve quality of life. Some examples of such medicines are Aduhelm, Aricept, or Leqembi. At the same time, Alzheimer's researchers continue to conduct clinical trials and work tirelessly on developing a cure that can help patients, as well as their friends and families, lead happier, healthier, and more carefree lives.