Progression of Alzheimer's disease is commonly divided into four stages. By the time the person reaches the third stage, which characteristics are most likely to be exhibited?

• A. Total disorientation to person, place and time
• B. Apraxia (inability to carry learned movements, purposeful acts or use objects properly)
• C. Wandering
• D. Visual agnosia (inability to recognize objects by sight)

Answer: (A)

As Alzheimer's progresses, orientation becomes the most affected function by the time a person reaches the third stage. The brain’s decline has advanced from simple memory gaps to widespread cognitive impairment that disrupts awareness of time, place, and even personal identity. This global disorientation is a defining feature of moderate impairment, so people at this stage commonly lose track of where they are, what day it is, and who they are with, often needing assistance with routine tasks and supervision to stay safe.

Other issues like apraxia (trouble with learned movements), wandering, or visual agnosia (trouble recognizing objects by sight) can occur as the disease progresses, but they’re not as universally characteristic of this stage as the significant disorientation to person, place, and time.