What Happens at the End of Life With Dementia? Key Signs Explained

Dementia is a progressive ailment and in its last phase the body and brain slowly starts to decelerate. Signs death is near dementia can become more noticeable during this time. This period can be challenging and heart-wrenching to the family and caregivers, particularly whereby it is difficult to establish what changes are considered as natural process.

This guide is a description of the general process of end-of-life dementia, the most likely symptoms, signs death is near dementia, and the ways that families can be prepared with awareness and empathy.

Living with End-Stage Dementia

End-stage dementia (also known as late-stage or advanced dementia) is a disorder of the disease that has seriously impaired memory, communication, and physical functioning. At this stage, the dementia is taken as life-limiting that is it will ultimately result in death, with complications being the major cause in most cases, as opposed to dementia per se.

The experience of everyone is different yet some of these tendencies tend to be shared.

End of life issues with dementia: important signs

1. Extreme Memory loss and Unawareness

The individual might not identify his close relatives anymore.

The level of awareness of the surrounding becomes minimal.

They might appear indifferent or out of touch with the world.

This is due to the common changes of the brain and it is normal in advanced dementia.

2. Difficulty Communicating

Speech can be extremely restricted or cease completely.

The words can be ambiguous or unintelligent.

The communication tends to change to facial expressions or sounds.

Emotional awareness can be exhibited even in the absence of words.

3. Reduced Mobility

Difficulties in walking, standing or sitting without assistance.

Later on the individual can spend most of his time in bed.

Stiffness and discomfort may occur unless repositioned.

One such strong indicator of advanced stage dementia is loss of mobility.

4. Alterations in Eating and Drinking

Loss of appetite is common

Problem with swallowing or chewing.

Reduced interest in fluids and food in general.

It is a normal process of the body slowing down and is not normally an indicator of anguish.

5. Increased Sleeping

Sleeping the most of the day and night.

Minimal time conscious, alert.

Poor response to mild stimulation.

When the energy is low, the body is concerned with rest.

6. Loss of weight and physical weakness

Unexplainable loss of weight despite treatment.

Muscle weakness and fatigue

Weak skin and decreased muscularity.

These alterations indicate the inability of the body to sustain itself.

7. Recurrent Infections or Health Complications

Often patients have frequent infections, including chest or urinary infections.

Delayed recuperation of disease.

Greater hospitalizations or comfort-oriented care required.

Advanced dementia causes death mostly due to infections.

Behavioral and Emotional Development

People might seem to be calm and quiet and other people might display:

Restlessness

Occasional agitation

Uncomfortable facial expressions.

These changes need not necessarily involve pain but need to be talked about with the healthcare providers to make things comfortable.

What is the Length of the End Stage?

The end phase of dementia may take weeks, months, or even more than that. There is no exact timeline. Medical workers are not so concerned with time prediction, as with comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

The Way Families Can Help a Loved One

Look at comfort and not cure
|human|>Look at comfort and not cure.

Do not talk loudly, even when no one is attending.

Provide touch, music or recognizable voices.

Collaborate with physicians or hospice nursing teams aiming to relieve symptoms.

Presence is expressed in small ways which can count more than words.

When Hospice or Palliative Care Should be a consideration

In case of dementia in its advanced stages, hospice or palliative treatment may be suggested. These services focus on:

Comfort and pain relief

Family emotional support.

Coaching via end-of-life decision making.

Pre-intervention can alleviate stress and enhance care.

Final Thoughts

Dementia does not have one particular moment of end of life. Although it may be heart breaking to see it, knowing the signs enables the families to feel much prepared and not alone.

When you are the one taking care of a person with advanced dementia, you should not think that you are giving up, you are only pursuing compassion, dignity and comfort on a challenging moment.