Late Stage Alzheimer's Disease:
Symptoms and Complications

Late stage Alzheimer's symptoms reflect the extensive deterioration of cognitive functions. Patients cannot survive without the assistance of a full-time caregiver. Not only must direct symptoms of Alzheimer's be considered at this stage, the caregiver must be aware of potential medication side effects, depression, and other complications.

Late stage Alzheimer's disease prevents the performing of even the simplest tasks. The affected person is completely dependant on a caregiver for eating, dressing, health care, and all other daily needs.

Memory deterioration is almost complete by this point, and language skills may have deteriorated to the point that the person is mute. Sleep patterns may be disturbed, and muscle coordination will be so impaired that walking, sitting, or even keeping the head upright is too much for many people.

Bladder incontinence is a common complication of late stage Alzheimer's disease. The caregiver can lessen incontinence accidents by scheduling regular bathroom trips. Further information about incontinence can be found at Living with Urinary Incontinence.

Constipation may become a problem. Adequate nutrition is difficult to ensure for a person with Alzheimer's, and nutritional imbalances may trigger constipation. Bowel movements need to be monitored in order to catch and treat constipation early.

Broken bones are a common complication. Muscle control is severely impaired, so falls, bruises, and broken bones are common. Because the Alzheimer's patient may not be able to communicate the pain of a break caused by a fall the caregiver may have to physically inspect the person for signs of broken bones.

In addition to physical complications, such as broken bones, the caregiver should be aware of medication side effects. If Alzheimer symptoms are being treated by medications such as antidepressants, caregivers should be observant about potential side effects such as glaucoma, seizures, constipation, or incontinence.

Side effects such as glaucoma and seizures should be watched for carefully. Regular eye exams will reduce the chance of damage by glaucoma. Seizures may be difficult to detect, as muscle coordination is already severely impaired.

Talk to your doctor about medication side effects so you know what to expect and report any side effects immediately.

Late stage Alzheimer's disease patients may also develop bedsores (decubitus ulcers), urinary tract infections, and recurrent fevers that are not resolved by antibiotics. Alzheimer's patients may have difficulty swallowing, which can result in getting food down the "wrong pipe" and causing pneumonia. They may even refuse food entirely causing rapid weight loss.

Emotionally, the patient may become confused or hostile towards the caregiver. Depression and anxiety are common amongst caregivers. Because anxiety and depression can cause dementia symptoms in the elderly, and because most family caregivers of Alzheimer's patients are the patient's spouse, the caregiver may also display Alzheimer's-like symptoms.

In addition to depression and anxiety, caregivers may feel angry, guilty, and overwhelmed by the stress of caregiving. Caregivers should have respite time: time to themselves while professional caregivers watch over their family member. Hospice can provided much needed relief in late-stage Alzheimer's disease.