As a person with dementia enters into the later stages, care decisions can become more difficult. In the late stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, the person usually:
• Has difficulty eating and swallowing
• Needs assistance walking and eventually is unable to walk
• Needs full-time help with personal care
• Is vulnerable to infections, especially pneumonia
Caring for a loved one in later stages can be both mentally and physically exhausting. Reaching out for help and assistance, whether from personal friends, family, and neighbors or professional agencies, may be a necessity.
Focus on fostering the best quality of life and dignity for your loved one, even though the person may have lost the ability to express their needs.
One way to do this is through sensory activities for the person. Our senses and emotions are usually the last to remain, so this may provide a meaningful experience for your loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Many of these activities can be done or modified for someone whose needs exceed what can be provided in the home or who may be in a residential facility. Some ideas could include:
• Playing their favorite music
• Reading portions of books that have meaning for the person
• Looking at old photos together
• Preparing a favorite food
• Rubbing lotion with a favorite scent into the skin
• Sitting outside together on a nice day
Deciding on late-stage care can be one of the most difficult decisions families face. There are many options of care at this stage such as intensive in-home care, nursing facility, hospice, etc. that provide quality care. Ideally, discussions about end-of-life care wishes should take place while the person with the dementia still has the capacity to make decisions and is able to share wishes about what they would (or would not) like their end stage or end of life care to look like.
Remember, regardless of where the care takes place, the decision is about making sure the person receives good quality care and can maintain dignity and respect during the process.
Sources:
www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-late-end-stage-caregiving.asp
