Sunday, January 21, 2007

Progression of the Disease--Levels of Cognitive Loss

This is from a handout given to us at one of the support meetings. I've been meaning to put this up ever since I got it. As you'll see, the levels progress from better to worse, with level 1 being the most profound loss.

Level 5--Early Loss--Running on Routine--Repeating Stories
  • Some word problems and loss of reasoning skills
  • Easily frustrated by changes in plans or routines
  • Seeks reassurance but resents take over
  • Still does well with personal care and activities
  • Tends to under or over estimate skills
Level 4--Moderate Loss--Just Get It Done!--Wanting a Purpose and a Mission
  • Gets tasks done, but quality is poor
  • Leaves out steps or makes errors and WON'T go back and fix it
  • Can help with lots of things--needs some guidance as he goes
  • Likes models and samples--uses others' actions to figure out what to do
  • Asks "What? Where? When?" LOTS
  • Can do personal care tasks with supervision and prompts
  • Still very social BUT content is limited and confusing at times
Level 3--Middle Loss--See it-Touch it-Take it-Taste it--Hunting and Gathering
  • Handles almost anything that is visible
  • Does not recognize other's ownership
  • Can still walk around and go places
  • Language is poor and comprehension is very limited--does take turns
  • Responds to tone of voice, body language, and facial expression
  • Loses the ability to use tools and utensils during this level
  • Does things because they feel good, look good, taste good--refuses if they don't
  • Stops doing when it isn't interesting anymore
  • Can often imitate you some--but not always aware of you as a person
Level 2--Severe Loss--Gross Automatic Action--Constant GO or Down and Out
  • Paces, walks, rocks, swings, hums, claps, pats, rubs...
  • Frequently ignores people and small objects
  • Doesn't stay down long in any one place
  • Often not interested in /aware of food--significant weight loss expected at this level
  • Can grossly imitate big movements and actions
  • Generally enjoys rhythm and motion--music and dance
Level 1--Profound Loss--Stuck in Glue--Immobile and Reflexive
  • Generally bed or chair bound--can't move much on own
  • Often contracted with "high tone" muscles--primitive reflexes reappear
  • Poor swallowing and eating
  • Still aware of movement and touch
  • Often sensitive to voice and noise--startles easily to sounds, touch, movement...
  • Difficulty with temperature regulation
  • Limited responsiveness at times
  • Moves face and lips a lot, may babble or reapeatedly moan or yell
  • Give care in slow, rhythmic movements and use the flats of fingers and open palms
  • Keep voice deep, slow, rhythmic and easy as you talk and give care
***************

If I had to guess, I'd say Dad was already at a Level 4 when diagnosed. Mom might disagree. Now, I'd put him at a Level 2, although he still shows some characteristics of Level 3, such as picking up any little thing he sees, responding to the tone of a conversation he wants to join, and some difficulty with spoons, forks, and such.

1 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks, Tamara, for posting this. It has been so long since I have posted anything.

Now that I am laid up,I'm going to take time to write.

Love you.

Mom

10:07 AM  

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