How Do You Recognize When Person Is Nearing Death With Alzheimer's? | myALZteam

Connect with others who understand.

sign up Log in
Resources
About myALZteam
Powered By
Real members of myALZteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
How Do You Recognize When Person Is Nearing Death With Alzheimer's?
A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭

My mom is in end stage Alzheimer's. Since Christmas we have noticed her speech is getting much more slurred, her gait is more shuffling and she seems to sleep more. Today she was sleeping in main area in Memory Care unit when I arrived. She was in her favorite chair. She slept through music therapy and through exercise time though at times she was tapping her feet to the music. I woke her after others in unit left after exercise. She's hard to understand but I think she said she was tired. She… read more

posted March 10, 2017
View reactions
A myALZteam Member

We had hospice care who helped us with knowing which stage my mom was in. She was in the dementia unit at a nursing home. I know medical so could tell when she went to a different stage most of the time. When she was nearing death she stopped eating and refused any water. I called Hospice and they came. They had her just on a drip of morphine, nothing else. So she was ready. She put her hand up and shook her head to refuse the water. I like to think she had the final say....:))) So when they stop eating and stop fluids, and sleep a lot that is one way you know, but as we all say everyone is different. Hospice was wonderful. Best of luck.

posted March 14, 2017
A myALZteam Member

Hi Christine, So sad but true that we usually hurt the ones we love the most when life becomes too much for us! Try to remember that the woman who was your Mum has now become your child and has similar needs and like a child, will sometimes throw tantrums.

I dread the day when I become like this and as such I have an advanced health directive and when the day comes that I get lost and cannot find my way home is the day they need to put me in a home for their own sakes!

I wish more people would talk with their adult children about what their wishes are in the event of Dementia etc. I had a stroke in 2011 and that was a wake up call for me. Have had the advanced Health Directive and my eldest son as my power of attorney ever since.

God Bless, stay strong.

posted April 22, 2018
A myALZteam Member

I suspect no one has any real answer for you because it is so difficult to tell and everyone is different. Other health issues are certainly a factor and if there are none, she may be quite a way from her end. My mother-in-law was mostly incontinent, required someone holding her and nudging her legs from behind to walk, and slept anytime she was not actively engaged one-on-one when she entered a nursing home. She lived there for almost 7 years in very gradually worsening condition. She had absolutely no other health conditions and died, not of complications, but of Alzheimer's alone.

This is all so very difficult. Hugs to you!

posted March 12, 2017 (edited)
A myALZteam Member

Trouble swallowing and needing support to sit upright are indications of the late stage of Alzheimer's. I noticed my mum wasn't swallowing her saliva and would foam a bit around the edges of her mouth. She was still managing to eat at first but we began to purée her meals to avoid choking. I also noticed her eyes seemed a little glazed and it was harder to make eye contact with her. Her speech was garbled and hard to understand. She stopped interacting with the events around her and would tug at her clothing or rub the arm of a chair, she twisted her fingers and seemed to be hallucinating a little in her own world. At the very end she found it uncomfortable to walk, so sat in a chair all day. Then one day she refused to eat or drink,the next day she wanted to stay in bed and she passed away two days later.

posted March 14, 2017
A myALZteam Member

I don't have an answer for you. I just felt that you needed to know your question is being viewed and read.

posted March 11, 2017

Related content

View All
Is Dementia/Alzheimer's Hereditary? Should I Get Checked For Alzheimer's? Is There A Way To Get An Early Diagnosis?
A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
What Is Vascular Dementia?
A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
As Anyone Googled Type 3 Diabetes? My Husband And My Mother Had Type 2 And Both Had Dementia.
A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
Your privacy is our priority. By continuing, you accept our Terms of use and Privacy policy.
Already a Member? Log in