Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that has no known cure. It is often dubbed “the long goodbye” because of the drawn-out process of cognitive decline the patient experiences – and their family walks through with them. Often, people wonder just how long they have with their loved ones before dementia finally takes its toll. Although it is difficult to predict how long late-stage dementia will last, the average duration is from one to three years.
Dementia will typically reduce the overall lifespan of the patient, but the extent of its influence is dependent on several other factors. For instance, they may be afflicted with another serious illness. Their lifespan may be reduced if the patient has a life-threatening condition in addition to dementia – such as heart disease or cancer. In other words, the patient may die naturally from something different than the dementia. Also, when a person is in the final stages of dementia and does not have the proper care, extenuating circumstances such as inadequate nutrition, poor hygiene, or medication mismanagement may contribute to a shorter lifespan.
What Can You Expect in the Late-Stage Dementia?
The final stage of dementia, or end-stage dementia, is characterized by severe cognitive decline. This stage affects the patient in a variety of ways, including:
- Complete dependence on caregivers to perform the most basic activities, such as eating, drinking, walking, and sitting
- Loss of bladder and bowel control (incontinence)
- Complete memory loss, including forgetting names of loved ones and mistaking one individual for another
- Severe anxiety, confusion, and disorientation
- Limited speech capability, typically only single words or phrases and no complete sentences
- Limited comprehension and understanding in conversation
- Increased susceptibility to infections, especially pneumonia
Just how quickly the stages of dementia progress varies amongst individual patients. Every patient will not experience the same issues at any given stage.
How is Late-Stage Dementia Treated?
Treatment of dementia varies depending on the root cause. Dementia due to vitamin deficiency is typically reversible and is traditionally treated with vitamin supplements. Depression can be treated with medications and therapy. Dementia caused by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can be treated with synthetic thyroxine tablets.
However, no treatment can stop the progression of dementia such as Alzheimer’s. Some medications can temporarily help to manage symptoms such as memory loss and confusion. Some of the non-pharmaceutical solutions that can help improve the quality of life for their loved ones include:
- Maintaining the patient’s comfort
- Keeping one’s patience and practicing gentle, understanding responses to behaviors
- developing strategies to cope with their loved one’s anger and agitation
- Practicing diverting the patient’s attention when fixated
- Establishing a peaceful atmosphere
- Cultivating a safe and secure physical environment
- Enrolling the patient in a dementia support group
Memory Care Solutions
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be mentally and physically exhausting. If you have cared for your loved one at home, but they are now in late-stage dementia, you may wish to consider placing them in a memory care facility. These facilities are staffed by caring professionals who are well-trained in caring for dementia patients. Many families find that their relationship with their loved ones improves once the daily stress of caring for them is alleviated. Caregivers can be relieved of the constant hygiene, ADL, and safety responsibilities and simply spend their time loving and interacting with their loved ones.
A Banyan Residence provides quality assisted living experience that allows seniors to progress, if necessary, into memory care at the same campus. If you are looking for assistance with your aging loved one, call us today for a tour.
