Caring for Loved Ones with Alzheimer's: Practical Tips and Advice

9. Stage Six: Severe Decline

Later stages of Alzheimer’s largely feature an inability to care for one’s self, often to the point of needing a full-time caregiver. People who progress to this stage can no longer dress or bathe themselves without help. Because of coordination issues, they may also need assistance navigating their home and using the toilet. Due to poor hygiene, infections become more prevalent. They can still speak, but with a significantly smaller vocabulary, and they may be unable to articulate many thoughts or ideas.