Dr. David P. Salmon writes in the "Encyclopedia of Psychology" that Alzheimer 's disease consists of a progressive dementia syndrome which develops as a result of a degenerative brain disease. The disease consists of neocortical and brain cell death, and the development of plaques and tangles in the brain. The course of the disease may differ among individuals; however, the afflicted individual always dies as a consequence of the disease or other associated problems.
Disease Stages
The progression of degeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease consists of seven stages. The Alzheimer's Association indicates that not all individuals with the disorder experience similar symptoms or progress through the disease at the same rate. Average life span after diagnosis is four to six years. However, it may vary from three to 20 years. Stage 7 is the last stage of Alzheimer's disease, where a very severe decline in functioning of the individual is reached. Problems that develop during this stage often contribute to or directly cause death.
Stage 7 Characteristics
The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation divides stage 7 into six substages, each featuring progressive declines. Death may occur at any of these substages, so not all individuals with the disease experience them. The Alzheimer's Association indicates that during the final stage of the disease individuals lose various abilities including interaction with the environment, speech and eventually, control over movement. Capability for speech production and comprehension disappears. The individual requires assistance with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and toileting. Reflexes become abnormal, the individual may lose the ability to swallow, to walk and sit upright.
Interventions
The Alzheimer's Society indicates that at later stages of dementia doctors and family may begin to discuss whether efforts should progress to prolong life or to allow natural death. Potential interventions include resuscitation following a heart attack, treatment of pneumonia or intravenous provision of food and liquids. Certain interventions, such as resuscitation may prove unsuccessful and may actually cause further brain damage.
Cause of Death
Eventual death in an Alzheimer's patient stems from direct consequences of the disease, an associated problem, old age or circumstances seemingly unrelated to it. The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation states that pneumonia is the most frequent cause of death among Alzheimer's patients. Infected decubital ulcerations or bed sores consist of another common cause of death. The Alzheimer's Society writes that the individual's ability to deal with infections, illness or physical problems becomes compromised due to the consequences associated with the course of the disease. Therefore, cause of death may come from a clot in the lung, a heart attack or simply catching an illness such as a cold. In some situations, death may come from a condition completely unrelated to Alzheimer's disease.
Death Certificate
The Alzheimer's Association indicates that the official cause of death placed on a death certificate by a doctor may vary depending on the practice of the doctor. Dementia may be blamed as the sole cause of death, a contributing factor or be absent altogether.
References
- Alzheimer's Association: Stages of Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's Society: The Later Stages of Dementia
- "Encyclopedia of Psychology"; Alan Kazdin, Ph.D. (Ed.); 2000
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation: Clinical Stages of Alzheimer's Disease
