Alzheimer's Disease: The Late Stage

The late-stage of Alzheimer’s disease can last for three years or more.  It is also known as the Terminal Period, since these Alzheimer’s patients are nearing death.  People with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease are often bedridden and at risk for a number of infections.  The symptoms include:

• Weight loss.
• Loss of balance and ability to walk.
• Loss of short and long-term memory.
• Loss of speech, although Alzheimer’s patients may groan or scream.
• Inability to perform basic skills such as eating or drinking.
• Failure to recognize others or even themselves.
• Respiratory infections (people with Alzheimer’s disease often die from pneumonia).