Living with Dementia > Alzheimer's Stages > Late

Late Stage is the final stage of the disease when individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, the ability to speak and, ultimately, the ability to control movement.

• Frequently individuals lose their capacity for recognizable speech, although words or phrases may occasionally be uttered
  
  
• Individuals need help with eating and toileting and there is general incontinence of urine
  
  
• Individuals lose the ability to walk without assistance, then the ability to sit without support, the ability to smile, and the ability to hold their head up. Reflexes become abnormal and muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.