Dementia, unfortunately, affects nearly 60 million people worldwide, with that number continuing to grow every year. Many people may not know that dementia is not a specific disease but a series of symptoms ranging from memory loss to limited social skills to diminished cognitive ability. The level of cognition a person has can be explained via seven different stages of dementia:
- No cognitive decline
- Very mild cognitive decline
- Mild cognitive decline
- Moderate cognitive decline
- Moderately severe cognitive decline
- Severe cognitive decline
- Very severe cognitive decline
Depending on the progression of memory loss, it may be time to consider a memory care facility.
In addition to the levels of cognitive decline in dementia, it’s also helpful to divide dementia into three main stages: early, middle, and late-stage dementia. Early-stage dementia might include some mild memory loss and a decline in cognitive ability and social skills, while the middle stage will be progressively worse, ending with late-stage dementia where someone may no longer be able to eat, use the bathroom, or get around without assistance.
Knowing the signs of end stage dementia is vital to ensure you get your loved one the proper end-of-life care they need to be comfortable during these final stages.
What Are the Different Types of Dementia and Who Is at Risk?
With millions of new cases of dementia being diagnosed each year, it can be very worrisome for older adults nearing their later years. While dementia is most common in people over age 65, there is also something called early onset dementia, which can occur in people ages 30 and 64. Here are some surprising statistics regarding early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s:
- The average age is 49
- It’s more common in women, with nearly 58% of cases
- 86% of people with early onset dementia had received brain imaging in the year prior to diagnosis
Not to worry, the likelihood of being diagnosed with early-onset dementia is quite small. The chances are less than .2% for adults. And of people with Alzheimer’s disease, only about 5% had experienced symptoms before the age of 65.
Early onset dementia is only one very minimal type of dementia, however. There are five much more common forms of dementia, which include:
Alzheimer’s Disease
By far the most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease affects tens of millions of people every year and makes up at least 60-80 percent of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s is thought to be caused by two types of proteins (amyloid and tau) that build up on and around brain cells, causing plaque and tangles.
The plaques, in turn, negatively affect memory, cognition, speech, and the ability to perform basic physical tasks. While there is no cure or a surefire way to prevent Alzheimer’s, people can reduce their risk by:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Lowering blood pressure
- Limiting or avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption
- Regular exercise and a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia is a condition caused by the presence of Lewy bodies, which are clumps of proteins that disrupt communication between nerve cells in the brain. It’s estimated that about 1.4 million people have Lewy body dementia, with most cases being diagnosed in people over the age of 65.
The symptoms of Lewy body dementia include hallucinations, Parkinson’s, rigidity, and other physical symptoms not commonly seen in Alzheimer’s patients. While there aren’t any treatments for Lewy body dementia, there are several medications that can help manage its symptoms.
Vascular Dementia
Late stage vascular dementia happens when there is restricted blood flow to a part of the brain, often from a stroke or traumatic brain injury. The restricted blood flow can lead to issues with memory, problem-solving, decision-making, and basic reasoning skills, falling under a blanket form of dementia. Again, maintaining a healthy lifestyle— avoiding smoking, high cholesterol, and diabetes— can significantly reduce your risk of strokes and, thus, Vascular dementia.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is very rare and most often occurs in people ages 45-64. This type of dementia is the result of damaged neurons in the frontal or temporal (or both) lobes of the brain. The frontal and temporal lobes are primarily responsible for processing information, emotions, understanding language, and encoding memories. So as you might guess, the moment this is damaged, an individual may immediately feel the adverse effects on their language and communication, emotions, all 5 senses, and their memory.
Mixed Dementia
And lastly, mixed dementia is when someone has a combination of different types of dementia. The most frequent combination of mixed dementia is Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. This can be hard to diagnose as many of the symptoms of different types of dementia mimic each other, but either way, it’s an important thing to note to be able to treat them properly.
What Are the Signs of Early to Mid Stage Dementia?
While different types of dementia can include different symptoms, many of them might start out the same way. Knowing the early signs of dementia can be instrumental to providing support early and getting the proper medical care in place to slow the progression of the disease.
The earliest signs of dementia might be very vague and hard to pick up. They may be brushed off as just getting older and forgetting things but maybe something much more. While the symptom may vary, some of the early signs include:
- Personality changes
- Behavioral changes
- Trouble remembering recent events
- Inability to concentrate
- Depression or social withdrawal
- Increased confusion
- Forgetting names or trouble finding the right word
As the disease progresses, other symptoms increase as an individual enters the middle stage of dementia. A person with dementia may experience increased issues including the following:
- Further changes in behavior
- Increased depression and anxiety
- Irritability and mood swings
- Repetitiveness
- Wandering
- Not remembering close family members’ names
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Trouble communicating (both speaking and understanding language)
Once the disease starts affecting everyday activities such as eating, drinking, bathing— it’s vital to get in touch with the right healthcare professionals to provide proper dementia care.
At this stage, it can be dangerous for someone to be getting care anywhere but the proper facility. A family caregiver may no longer be able to handle the needs of someone in this stage of the disease.
What Are the 7 Most Common End-Stage Dementia Symptoms?
End-stage dementia is the final phase of the disease, marked by severe symptoms that require comprehensive and compassionate care. During the dementia end stages, individuals often need round-the-clock support and palliative care to ensure comfort and manage pain effectively. Below is a breakdown of the most common signs of advanced dementia seen in this final stage and what they entail.
1. Problems Eating and Bathing
Individuals in the end stages of dementia often lose the ability to eat or bathe independently. They may no longer recognize utensils or remember how to chew and swallow properly, leading to nutritional deficiencies and choking risks. Similarly, bathing becomes challenging as they may not understand the process or could resist assistance due to confusion. Caregivers must provide hands-on help with gentle and patient care during these tasks.
2. Complete Lack of Cognitive Skills
Cognitive decline in end-stage dementia is profound. Individuals may lose all memory and reasoning abilities, making it impossible for them to recognize loved ones, understand their surroundings, or process new information. This loss of cognitive function can leave them disoriented, anxious, or unresponsive to communication, requiring a safe and supportive environment.
3. Trouble Swallowing
Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, is a common symptom in advanced dementia. The muscles in the throat weaken, making it hard for individuals to swallow food, water, or medication. This can lead to choking, aspiration pneumonia, or dehydration. Special dietary adjustments, such as pureed foods or thickened liquids, are often necessary, and caregivers may need to monitor meals closely.
4. Physical Problems Like Mobility and Incontinence
As dementia progresses, individuals lose control over their physical abilities. They may become bedridden or have trouble walking, requiring assistance or mobility aids. Incontinence is also common, as they lose the ability to control their bladder and bowels. Caregivers must manage these physical challenges with sensitivity, providing proper hygiene care and ensuring comfort.
5. Complete Inability to Perform Everyday Functions
End-stage dementia often leaves individuals completely dependent on caregivers for even the simplest daily tasks, such as dressing, brushing teeth, or using the bathroom. This level of dependency requires constant supervision and support, with the caregiver playing a critical role in maintaining the individual’s dignity and quality of life.
6. Being Non-Verbal
Many individuals with end-stage dementia lose the ability to communicate verbally. They may no longer speak, respond to questions, or express their needs. Non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions, body language, or sounds, may become the primary way they convey discomfort or emotions. Caregivers must learn to interpret these cues and respond appropriately to ensure the individual’s comfort.
7. Drastic Weight Loss
Severe weight loss is common in the later stages of dementia due to a combination of factors, including trouble swallowing, loss of appetite, and difficulties eating. Malnutrition can weaken the body further, leading to increased vulnerability to infections and other health complications. Nutritional support, such as specially formulated diets or feeding tubes, may be necessary to maintain their health.
Advanced dementia often requires hospice care and end-of-life care. Individuals in this stage will likely be chair or bed-bound, and precautions need to be taken to prevent pressure ulcers and keep them physically comfortable at the end of their life.
FAQs
Q: What Stage of Dementia Is Falling?
Falling can occur in middle to late-stage dementia due to a decline in motor function, balance issues, and spatial awareness problems. As dementia progresses, the brain’s ability to coordinate movement decreases, making falls more frequent. Conditions like vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia often contribute to mobility issues earlier than Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers should consider home safety modifications and assistive devices to reduce fall risks.
Q: What Is the Last Stage of Dementia?
The last stage of dementia is end-stage or very severe dementia, where cognitive and physical functions decline significantly. Individuals may become non-verbal, unable to recognize loved ones, experience severe mobility issues, and require full-time assistance with daily activities such as eating, dressing, and using the bathroom. At this stage, hospice or palliative care is often recommended to provide comfort and support.
Q: How Long Does the Final Stage of Dementia Last?
The final stage of dementia can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years, depending on the individual’s overall health, type of dementia, and level of care. On average, individuals in this stage may live for six months to three years. Proper medical care, nutrition, and pain management can help improve comfort during this time.
Q: Can Dementia Progress Quickly?
Yes, while dementia typically progresses gradually over several years, certain factors can cause rapid cognitive decline. Conditions such as vascular dementia, infections, head trauma, and underlying health issues like stroke or Parkinson’s disease may speed up dementia symptoms. Regular medical check-ups and early intervention can help slow progression in some cases.
Get Proper Memory Care at Sunflower Communities
Of course, in the early stages of dementia, you want to cater to your loved one’s wishes and find them a place where they can be most comfortable and cared for, but finding the right team to care for your loved one in the later stages of dementia is vital to ensuring that end of life care.
Moving your loved one around too much as their dementia progresses can be detrimental and actually make matters worse. So finding a memory care facility like Sunflower Communities early on in the process can make each transition so much easier.
Our senior living community allows individuals at all stages of dementia to get the care they need along each step of the way. Our well-vetted staff is trained in all avenues of dementia and memory care, so you can rest assured your or your family members will be in good hands. If you’re interested in learning more about our programs, reach out today and tour our community to see for yourself.