How can you tell if dementia is nearing its final stage?
Answers
It is significant to caregivers to know when a person living with dementia is about to reach the last phase of their life since it contributes to providing them with the appropriate amount of care at the proper time. It is not easy to know this precisely because of diverse dementia development; however, identifying typical symptoms of the last stage of life will be definitely helpful. The timeline of these symptoms are as follows:
Final six months
A diagnosis of a specific health condition like cancer, congestive heart failure, or COPD
A raise of visiting hospitals or admissions
Final two to three months
Limited speech, e.g., six words or less per day Trouble with swallowing Chocking while drinking or eating Difficulty with walking or sitting upright without help
Final days/ weeks
• Cold hands, arms, and legs
• Not being able to swallow
• Restlessness
• Excessive sleeping
• Losing consciousness
• Difficult breathing
• Ragged breaths for several seconds