Jay, Very well put. Why would anyone wish to know about stages? Certainly I would not wish to know, especially from reading many of the posts on here. Is it any wonder so many loved ones live in denial? The fear of being 'put away', fear of losing control and not wishing to be a burden on a family member.
Personally I knew nothing of the stages, nor did I wish to and like my University of Life education I lived each day at a time and towards the end each moment of 'the NOW'. I observed, listened, asked questions of myself, then learned.
By the time I came to use the Internet we had almost reached the end. I never came to give or receive advice, but to relate some of my experiences of caring all the way. How can people give advice about an individual they don't personally know?
Some of us have an advantage, I knew my wife since she was 18 and married her when she was 21. We were blessed with 52 years marriage, which included the final 13 or more with her AD.
In my case I can say; thank God I ignored doctor's advice as they lacked the personal experience. Sorry I view doctors just like any other profession, some good, bad and indifferent. They just might be having a bad day at home and the quick and easy manner to move some patients on, is to prescribe drugs. It's a stressful job.
I accepted there is only one end to AD and learned to expect the unexpected then learned another lesson, always knowing time was running out. When the end did come, I had few regrets in having cared in my own way.
The big pity was that outsiders were unaware how disruptive they could be. Lone caring takes up every minuet of each day with washing, ironing, house work, shopping, cooking etc etc. Sorry if this seems blunt but it's how it is.