How does one die from dementia?

Dementia leads to a range of complications that can be fatal

Dementia is a progressive disease that affects brain function, leading to severe cognitive and physical impairments. Many people wonder how someone with dementia actually dies, as it’s not the dementia itself that directly causes death. Instead, dementia leads to a range of complications that can ultimately be fatal. Here, we will discuss the most common ways dementia can lead to death.

Gradual decline in bodily functions

Dementia diseases like Alzheimer’s affect the brain in ways that gradually impair essential functions. This includes the ability to communicate, move, and even eat. As the disease reaches its later stages, these losses become even more pronounced. Individuals with advanced dementia often become bedridden, making them extremely vulnerable to other medical conditions.

Pneumonia and other infections

One of the most common causes of death in people with dementia is pneumonia. This often occurs as a result of impaired swallowing, which can lead to food and liquids entering the airways instead of the stomach. This is known as aspiration, and it can cause serious lung infections. When the immune system is weakened, as it often is in the later stages of dementia, the body becomes less capable of fighting off infections.

Reduced ability to eat and drink

In the final stage of dementia, many people lose the ability to eat and drink on their own. This can lead to malnutrition and dehydration, which in turn can cause organ failure. When a person can no longer intake enough nutrients, the body becomes increasingly weakened, exacerbating other medical conditions and leading to a general decline in health.

Bedsores and sepsis

People with advanced dementia are often immobile, which increases the risk of bedsores. If these sores are not treated, they can become infected, potentially leading to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that often requires intensive care.

The body’s gradual shutdown

In the final stages of the disease, it is common for the body’s organs to gradually begin shutting down. This is due to a combination of malnutrition, dehydration, infections, and general physical decline. The person becomes increasingly tired and spends more time sleeping. Ultimately, these factors lead to the heart and other vital organs ceasing to function.

Conclusion

Dementia itself is not fatal, but the disease leads to a range of complications that can ultimately cause death. Pneumonia, malnutrition, infections, and general physical decline are common causes of death among people with dementia. It’s important to understand that death in dementia is often the result of multiple factors working together, where the body’s ability to manage and recover from illnesses gradually diminishes.

 

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