Alzheimer’s Disease Progression Three Part Article Series
Part III: Late-Stage Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes a gradual decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Symptoms depend on the stage of the disease. In this three-part article series, we discuss early-stage symptoms, middle-stage symptoms, and late-stage symptoms exhibited by individuals diagnosed with AD.
In Part III of this article series, we are discussing symptoms commonly associated with late-stage AD, the final stage of the disease when symptoms are the most severe. During late-stage AD, individuals lose the ability to fully engage with their surroundings because their physical and mental abilities have significantly deteriorated. At this stage 24-hour care is needed because individuals can’t complete activities independently. Some can complete basic tasks like eating and walking; however, sadly even these abilities may decrease over time.
A goal for caregivers should be to enhance the quality of life for the person with AD. Daily activities will need to be adjusted to their likes, dislikes, and abilities. Common late-stage symptoms of AD are listed below.
Decline in Physical Ability. During late-stage AD, patients may struggle to complete physical tasks like walking or standing. Bladder and bowel movements are often uncontrollable; a toileting schedule or using diapers may be necessary. The ability to chew or swallow can decline, and meals may need to be altered to accommodate these changes.
Increased Pneumonia Diagnosis. As the ability to swallow food decreases, food or liquid may sometimes enter the lungs instead of traveling down to the stomach. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia where food and/or liquid that can’t be swallowed is pulled into the lungs.
Increased Infections. As mobility decreases, it is common for infections to arise more easily, particularly in the lungs, which increases the risk of pneumonia. If body and oral hygiene aren’t maintained infections may arise due to neglect of these areas.
Decreased Communication. It is common for someone in late-stage AD to have little to no ability to communicate effectively. Many will completely lose the ability to participate in verbal and/or non-verbal communication. Some individuals can produce a few words or gestures in response. In most cases, it is difficult to effectively communicate with most individuals in late-stage AD because they become more disconnected from their environment over time and therefore, less responsive. Attempt to communicate with visual cues. Try communicating by playing their favorite music.
Increased Sleep. During late-stage AD, it is common for sleep time to increase during the daytime and at night. This may be due to medications or simply exhaustion. Completing daily tasks can become increasingly tiring over time resulting in longer periods of sleep to recover.
AD affects each person in different ways, so everyone will experience symptoms differently and progress through the stages differently. The examples provided in this article should only be used as a guide for a better understanding of late-stage symptoms of AD.
To explore early-stage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, please read Part I of this article series, Alzheimer’s Disease Progression Three Part Series, Part I: Early-Stage Symptoms.
To explore middle-stage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, please read Part II of this article series, Alzheimer’s Disease Progression Three Part Series, Part II: Middle-Stage Symptoms.