Early stages of Alzheimer's?

my grandpa has been diagnosed as having Alzheimer's right now he can remember everyone but he can not remember what year he was born and where he was born he is in his late 70's. he is on sometype of Medication for it but i don't know the name.

what are the stages ?
how long can it or will it take to get to the last stage?
how bad does it get with Alzheimer's ?
will he remember his wife,children,grandchildren,great grandchildren when he gets near the last stage.?
will Medication slow the progress of it?
is it really true that someone with Alzheimer's forgets how to use the bathroom, how to breath, how to eat, and how to do other daily task?
dose Alzheimer's run in familys?
does someone die because of Alzheimer's?

great grandchildren

Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is a progressive fatal illness that causes areas of the brain to shrink.
It starts with memory loss and other cognitive deficits, advancing to major personality changes, eventual loss of control over bodily functions.

Early-stage:
Mild Memory loss or other cognitive deficits are noticeable, yet the person can compensate for them and continue to function independently.

Mid-stage:
Moderate Mental abilities decline, the personality changes, and physical problems develop so that the person becomes more and more dependent on caregivers.

Late-stage:
Severe to complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions requires total dependence on others for even the most basic activities of daily living.

The end result of Alzheimer's is death, whether caused by the inability of the brain to keep the body going, or by another disease or injury along the way.

How long it takes:
People vary in the length of time spent in each stage and in which symptoms appear. However, the progression is always toward a worsening of symptoms that reflect more and more brain decay and increasing dependence on caregivers.

I would suggest that you refer to the link below for detailed and professional information:

http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimer...

My wife's grandma had alzheimer's. She never got to the last stages, but the family did lots of research. It can be hereditary. There are certain medications that can slow the process, just talk to a neurologist. Honestly, it gets bad. Some people go through the stages slowly and some go through them quite rapidly. Everyone is different. They can forget just about everything in the last stage. It is a very hard disease to deal with. Love your grandpa with all your heart and enjoy every minute you have with him. Puzzles and anything that helps them exercise their brains are really great for them. Also, adk him lots of questions about his past. They seem to hold on to the oldest memories the best. I'm sorry.

I've worked with alzheimer's patient's for several years & would like to share a few thing that haven't been mention. One of the best books I would recommend everyone in the family to read (it will take less then 30 min) "Welcome to Planet Alzheier's" by Candace A. Stewart. Refer to it often. For the children in the family I recommend Maria Shriver's book.
"What's Happening to Grandpa" both of these books are free thru the the Alzheimer's Association.
The medicine that I believe you are asking about is ARICEPT
they have a great web site that will give you a great deal of insight into this disease. There is a new patch that has been approved by the FDA for Alzheimer's patients. Which is great, if they are in the early stages & living alone taking their own meds.
Somethings I have found to be helpful is to get a clock that givea the Date/Day of the week/& time am-pm (August 9, 2007 Thursday 8:32 PM)
Make a photo album of the family members with their names on the pictures. Kind of like a family tree: his parents him & grandma their children & so on & so forth.
Make extra keys for everything..they will get misplaced & possibly found before you can even get there with the new key.
Make sure they have a responsible person looking after their
finances. Unfortunly people prey on the elderly & Alzheimers patients are an easy target for "charties & sale solicitation ". You can have his phone number blocked from these types of calls & also his mail should be sent to the person handling his finances. Patients are know to pay the phone bill 3x & have the cable shut off.
Patient' will also tell you they have't eatten all day When they have or that they just ate when they haven't had a bite all day. They will also tell you they just took a shower when they haven't. Check the clothes hamper.
Patients should just be offered fluids hourly they will forget to drink.
Keep a eye on the food in the fridge & cabinets make sure that none of it has expired. Ensure (served ice cold) is a great suppliment for patients to make sure they get the nutrients they need.
Alzheimers is a heredity disease,it can effect the most intelegent person.
Patients will regress to child like behavior & may think there greatgrands are their children,its just where their mind happens to be at the moment.
Some patients become violent,Some sleep all day. Some do things that they never did before (drink & cuss).
The spouse & loved one may be in a mourning process as if the loved one has died,and in a sense death would be faster & easier.
If a family member is the caregiver for your Grandpa that person will need support & time off. Living with an alzheimer's patient is mentally & physically exausting.
Love your Grandpa remember the times you had together, don't hesitate to just call or stop by to say you love him walk around the yard. Everyone needs to know they are loved & to have human contact.
I Love my Patients & their families I have leared more from them & their wonderful lives then in any class room.
May God be with you & you family on this Journey