How Does Alzheimer’s Cause Death?
You’ve probably heard that complications of Alzheimer’s disease can lead to death in older individuals. Due to the complex nature of Alzheimer’s and the human body, there are many ways this can happen.
It’s never fun to learn about the end of your loved one’s life, but it’s essential to know what can happen. Proper education can help you look for important signs of Alzheimer’s complications in advance. Here’s what you should know about fatal Alzheimer’s cases and end-of-life care.
How Alzheimer’s Takes Over the Brain
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition. This means the neural cells in the brain become damaged and die off over time. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, but certain medications may slow its progression.
Top-Level Functioning Goes First
Early-stage Alzheimer’s affects the parts of the brain responsible for storing and recalling memories and functional thinking (cognition). This can look like frequent forgetting, irrational decision-making, wandering, and other concerning symptoms.
Bodily Damage Comes Next
As the disease spreads, other areas of the brain become impaired. The human brain controls all other body systems through the nervous system. Once these neural pathways are altered or damaged, it can take a toll on organ health and involuntary functions.
Causes of Death in Alzheimer’s Patients: What Actually Happens?
Neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s can impact the body and brain in numerous ways. Some of the potential complications can lead to fatality in Alzheimer’s patients.
Immune System Challenges and Secondary Infections
Scientists believe that the way Alzheimer’s changes body systems can end up impairing the immune system, which is responsible for fighting off illnesses.
Many people with Alzheimer’s die of infections they develop once the disease has progressed. These often include pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Impaired Essential Bodily Functions
Your brain takes care of functions like breathing, blinking, and heartbeat without conscious thought. You don’t have to concentrate to make your heart beat or take normal breaths.
As Alzheimer’s moves throughout the brain, it can, unfortunately, target the areas that control these involuntary functions. Heart attacks and respiratory failure are common in this stage.
Malnutrition and Dehydration
Many Alzheimer’s patients refuse food and water toward the end of their lives. In fact, it happens so often that there’s an advance healthcare directive for it — voluntary stopping of eating and drinking (VSED).
At this stage of Alzheimer’s disease, medical care becomes about the person’s comfort and advance wishes rather than sustaining their body.
Organ Failure
Major organs like the kidneys and liver can stop functioning properly when Alzheimer’s has caused enough cell death. Once organs start failing and dying, it becomes much harder for the patient’s body to sustain life.
Kidneys filter waste from the bloodstream, so when they fail, patients are susceptible to blood infections like sepsis, which can turn fatal quickly.
Alzheimer’s-Related Injuries
People with Alzheimer’s often struggle with mobility challenges, which makes them more vulnerable to falls, bone fractures, and injuries like bedsores. Since their body is already under a lot of strain from the disease, it becomes much harder to recover from these incidents. Ultimately, bad falls and bedsores can be fatal if left untreated.
Education and Comfort for Families of Loved Ones With Alzheimer’s
It’s understandable if you start grieving your loved one in advance, especially once you know what can happen to their mind and body. Education is key in preventing accidents and comforting your loved one through the end of their life.
In some cases (like falls and other injuries), Alzheimer’s-related death can be prevented. In other instances, compassionate acceptance is the best route to take. No matter what ends up happening, you’ll have peace of mind that you were prepared and there for your loved one through it all.
If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.
Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California.
