The focus of the final stage of dementia is completely on comfort care. Physical abilities are so limited at this point that the person you care for may spend most of their time in bed or in a chair. Language abilities are also impaired, and they are not likely to be able to interact much. Keeping the person with dementia clean and content is the highest priority. Death may be postponed with interventions such as artificial feeding. But it will not be beat. Having come this far, your loved one will probably pass from the condition causing their dementia.
One of the biggest challenges of the final stage is making healthcare decisions. The body may have been generally healthy, but the mind is so impaired that your loved one is losing their ability to function. Frequent infections and an inability to eat result in a terminal condition.
And just because they have dementia does not mean they may not have other conditions as well. You may be called upon to make treatment decisions about cancer, COPD, or heart disease. Hopefully you will have had discussions in the early stage of dementia about your loved one’s life-support preferences. At this stage, quality of life—what brings comfort and joy—tends to take priority. The long-term benefits of treatments such as chemo, which causes pain, nausea, and deep fatigue, are not something your relative can understand.
If you would like more information or assistance with decision making, give us a call at 704-945-7170.
The final stage is very much like the late stage, but with more problems accumulating. In particular, their immune system, digestion, and balance will get worse. The last few days will be similar to the last few days of anyone dying of natural causes. If you have never been present to care for a person who is dying, it’s useful to know what “normal” looks like.
Final-stage signs and symptoms include the following:
Multiple infections. As the immune system declines, your loved one will get more infections. Pneumonia (infections in the lungs) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common.
Unable to move around on one’s own. The person you care for will likely spend most of their time in a chair or in bed. They will require assistance getting up and walking. As a result, they will need the presence of a caring adult twenty-four hours a day.
Nonverbal communication. At this point, they can’t usually speak or understand words spoken to them. They do understand tone of voice and caring intentions. Gentle physical affection, a smiling face, and love in one’s eyes are often well received.
Difficulty eating. The swallowing process is a very complex coordination of muscles. Your loved one may forget how to swallow and as a consequence, often choke. They may forget to be hungry and outright refuse to eat. (People in the last few weeks of life often refuse to eat. This does seem to be a natural response as the body starts closing down.) If the person you care for is diabetic, talk to the doctor about adjusting medications to appropriately reflect changes in eating.
Weight loss. With no appetite, your loved one will lose weight. They will become more frail overall.
If they still had control of their bladder and bowels earlier, it will completely go away in the final stage.
Sitting up may be difficult without assistance. The muscles of the neck can become weak. They can’t hold the head upright.
Losing the ability to smile. The loss of facial control is difficult to witness. You have to rely on other signs, such as squeezing a hand, to know that they are comfortable and without pain.
Last few weeks and days
Temperature changes. You may notice signs of feeling too hot (trying to remove covers) and feeling too cold (shivering or curling up into a ball). As the heart works harder and harder to keep beating effectively, circulation will be weak. Hands and feet will be cold and may turn blue.
More time “sleeping.” In the last few weeks, people who are dying spend a lot of time “away.” It’s like sleep, but deeper. It’s possible that they can still hear, so be careful what you say around them. Kind words and a loving tone of voice still seem to make it through the clouds of the dementia. Conversely, talk of death and dying can result in signs of fear or agitation.
Fragile skin. Thin skin and frequent bruising are common. So are bedsores, especially at bony pressure points such as hips, shoulders, heels, ankles, and tailbone.
Agitation. They may become more restless and fidgety. Picking at a blanket or thrashing in bed. Toward the very end, many people often seem to reach upwards, as if to be picked up.
Hallucinations. The person you care for may already have been seeing things you don’t see. Toward the end of life, this becomes especially common. If they are still talking at all, they may murmur the names of relatives who have already died.
Irregular and noisy breathing. The last part of the dying process includes the lungs filling with fluid. This causes a gurgling sound with each breath. It does not seem to be distressing for the person who is dying. But it is often uncomfortable to hear. Breathing will eventually become more shallow and irregular, with longer pauses between. And, at some point, the person simply will not draw another breath.
The experience of those in the final stage of dementia
Using the analogy of dementia as turning back the clock, think of this final stage as when one loses the learning of the infant. Letting go of continence, letting go of feeding themselves, letting go of language. People in the final stage of dementia become entirely dependent and simply seek physical and emotional comfort.
It’s difficult to truly know what the final stage is like for the person with dementia since they lack the ability to speak. It’s probably a continuation of the late stage, but with the added experiences of the body closing down. Those without dementia who can still talk during their last weeks and months often describe extended periods of sleep as comforting. The body is having a difficult time, so they are tired. Staying alert and awake is a lot of work!
They don’t seem to experience hunger. In fact, many prefer not to eat. They have no appetite. It’s just too uncomfortable and too much work to digest. In biological terms, the body is focusing all its efforts on breathing and keeping the heart beating.
If there is another condition besides dementia, then likely they will be experiencing some of those problems. For instance, cancer often brings pain. Heart disease comes with great fatigue. COPD results in difficulty breathing, with a type of anxiety called “air hunger.”
The person you care for doesn’t have the ability to understand these other conditions, so they may become scared and withdrawn. They certainly don’t understand the purpose of treatments. Tolerating the side effects of chemo in the hope for a cure is far too abstract a concept.
Their days seem to revolve around how they are feeling at this moment now. Are they comfortable? Without pain? Judging from the closing down of their body systems, as well as their thinking, they do seem to be slowing down as they prepare to go.
How family caregivers can help someone in the final stage of dementia
The ways to help in the final stage are much the same as for the late stage, but a little less verbal. This doesn’t mean you can’t talk. It’s just unlikely the person you care for will understand the content. They very much do understand your tone of voice, body language, and your facial expression!
Think always in terms of what would be the most soothing at this moment. Usually simple routines with minimal complexity. A few other thoughts:
Use all five senses
Both your touching of them (holding hands) and their having comforting objects to touch and hold: A soft blanket. A stuffed animal.
Play favorite music, especially music that is soothing. Sounds from nature are often very calming.
Looking at soothing picture books, old photos.
If they enjoyed fragrances in lotions or flowers in the past, continue with that. (Putting lotion on hands, arms, and legs is also a nice touching activity.) If there are scents they disliked in the past, they probably still dislike them, so best to avoid those.
Favorite drinks might be an option. Remember that swallowing is difficult and people in this stage of dementia often lose interest in eating.
Pay attention to nonverbal signs of pain. If the person you care for has other conditions, such as cancer, you want to be extra observant. Even if you ask them if they are feeling pain, they likely won’t be able to answer. Instead look for these signs:
A furrowed brow
Groaning
Fast breathing
Fidgeting (repetitive plucking at the edge of a blanket)
Frequent urination (may be a bladder infection)
Inability to be soothed
Simplify medical treatments. Especially if the person you care for has been taking medications for cholesterol or has had exercises for physical therapy, if you haven’t stopped by now, consider doing so. Talk to the doctor about what can be dropped versus what might be best reduced. (Insulin, for instance, may still be needed, but maybe not in the same quantities as before, when the person was eating.)
The last few days. In addition to late-stage dementia, the person you care for will at some point start actively dying. This is a normal process at the end of life. There are things you can do to ease common difficulties:
Provide physical comfort
Pain management. Address any pain you believe they are experiencing. Ask the doctor for medications.
Relieve breathing problems. A humidifier may help. Also raising the head of the bed higher than the heart and feet. (Rent a hospital bed or use “bed risers” for the legs at the head end of the bedframe.) Have a fan handy or open a window if it’s not too cold and not allergy season.
Care for the skin. It will get very frail and thin. Keep your loved one clean and dry. You may need to put lotion on them several times a day. You will also want to be mindful of bedsores on bony parts of the body (hips, shoulders, ankles, heels, tailbone). Turn them to a different position every two hours so there isn’t too much pressure for too long in any one of these places.
Don’t force foods or fluid. Digesting food is too much work for the body in the last few days. The person you care for has probably already lost their appetite. As for fluids, the body is already fighting to get rid of fluid in the lungs. Giving your relative more to drink just makes that harder. If they have a dry mouth, let them suck on a wet washcloth or give them ice chips to crunch. Use lip balm or oil to sooth chapped lips.
Temperature fluctuations. Toward the end, the body’s internal thermostat stops working at some point. Look for nonverbal cues of discomfort. They may shiver if cold, or curl into a ball. If they start throwing off blankets, it may mean they are too hot.
Address mental and emotional needs. Most people spend the last few days in a sleeplike state.
Hallucinations are common. They are not a problem as long as your relative is not distressed. People who do not have dementia may murmur the names of folks who are already deceased. It’s even quite common for them to be reaching upward, as if to be picked up. There’s nothing you need to do about this. It just seems to be part of the natural process of dying.
Soft, calming music can help ease agitation.
Limit the number of people in the room. And keep your voices low. (Be careful what you say to each other in front of them. They may still be able to hear you, even if they seem to be asleep!) Hold their hand. Talk to them in a loving and reassuring voice. Share positive memories. Your calm presence is a gift.
Support their spiritual needs. If your loved one is religious, then praying or singing hymns would be very helpful. Have a faith leader in their congregation come administer any end-of-life rituals.
You don’t have to do this alone. Consider hospice.
This is a free service 100% paid for by Medicare. It is designed to help people who understand there is not a cure for their relative’s condition. It is for people who simply want to have a natural, pain-free end of life. If you believe this is what your loved one would want, it’s very much worth exploring.
Most people think of bringing hospice in just a few days before death. In reality, hospice can provide support for up to six months before the patient dies. No one has a crystal ball, of course, but most families end up wishing they had called hospice sooner than they did. The help had been invaluable. If you think your loved one is entering the final stage, give hospice a call. They do not provide twenty-four-hour care, but they do offer ongoing visits from a team of professionals trained in end-of life care:
A nurse’s aide for bathing your loved one several times a week
A nurse for assessing and managing pain and other forms of distress. Hospice nurses visit weekly and can get prescriptions as needed from the medical director. They can also coordinate services and arrange for a hospital bed and other equipment and supplies to make daily care easier.
A volunteer for weekly companionship. They can sing with your loved one, or read to them. Or simply be present for a few hours so you can take some time off.
Family members tend to be more positive about the overall quality of the medical care their loved one received when hospice was involved (52% report great quality of care with hospice as compared with 41% of those who didn’t have hospice support). Also, people on hospice are less likely to undergo distressing transfers to the hospital. Most people prefer to die at home. Hospice provides care and support wherever the patient lives, so there is generally no need to make a transfer. Hospice can help your loved one have a peaceful passing at home. An Aging Life Care Manager can help you choose the hospice provider best suited to your loved one’s needs.
Ask the doctor if hospice is an option for your loved one.
Self-care for family caregivers of persons in the final stage of dementia
Your own experience of the final stage. You will probably have a wide range of emotions as you recognize the end is near. There may be grief and sadness. But relief is also common and natural: For your loved one’s release from suffering, and for your own release from all the responsibilities, care, and worry. Some people feel guilty that they look forward to the relief. Or that they don’t feel particularly sad. If this is the case for you, you probably started grieving months and years ago as the disease began to steal your loved one’s personality away. You have come to accept the loss of the relationship you once had.
It’s not uncommon to feel lost and isolated during the final stage. So much of your energy has been spent supporting the person you care for, you have lost touch with the person you used to be. It’s important to start reinforcing that you still belong in the land of the living. You can accompany your loved one to the door of death, but it’s not your time to cross. You need to stay here. It’s time to start investing in your future.
If you have not been keeping up with your own health, do so now. Too many family caregivers sacrifice their own medical appointments to care for their loved one. Then upon their loved one’s passing, their own health issues arise. In addition to doctor visits, pay attention to getting enough sleep and to eating well. Ideally you would also take time for some sort of exercise or movement. That can be stretching at home or better yet, walking outside with a friend or in nature.
Get help. In order to do this, you have to get help. That can be in the form of other family members pitching in, or hired caregivers. Respite can be in short spurts throughout the week, or a more permanent shift to 24/7 care. At this point, your loved one may not really know who you are. It’s time for some soul searching as you consider the best use of your energy. Do you really need to be the one providing all your relative’s care? It might be better done—and literally more effectively done—by caring professionals who aren’t so exhausted. This can give you time and energy to focus on providing emotional support all the way through your loved one’s passing. You might decide to hire a caregiver to come to the home at night so you can get some sleep. Or a memory care center may be most appropriate.
Consider memory care. Ninety percent of families who have spent five or more years caring for a relative with dementia ultimately decide that long-term care in a memory care community is now the best choice. Think in terms of what will provide your relative with the best physical support and comfort. If you are exhausted, not getting any sleep, or are emotionally drained, the wisest and kindest decision might be for your loved one to be attended to in a memory care facility. The staff is trained in the care of people with dementia, including end-of-life care. They work in shifts so your loved one has a fresh team of support people several times a day. Especially if you live alone with your relative, you may realize that you’d rather be with them for emotional support but let professionals be responsible for addressing the needs of their failing body. You might also prefer that others are around at the time of death so you do not have to manage that by yourself.
Consider hospice. If you have not signed up for hospice already, it’s worth considering for the final stage. This form of home-based support is 100% paid for by Medicare. They do not offer 24/7 in-home caregivers. But you will have assistance from regular home visits by
a nurse (to manage pain and any distressing symptoms)
a nursing assistant to give baths two or three times a week
a volunteer for a few hours a week to give you a break
a social worker and chaplain as needed for emotional and spiritual support
The focus is on comfort care for patients who prefer a natural death over one with tubes and a lot of heroics. Quality of life—keeping the daily experience a positive one—takes priority over quantity of life. They pay attention to physical, emotional, and spiritual distress and support both the patient and the family members.
Some hospices also have inpatient facilities. If you decide that day-to-day care is more than you can do, look for a hospice in your community that has beds available. You and other family members can visit any time. Even spend the night. The staff are fully trained in end-of-life care. They manage pain and other symptoms. They also provide your loved one with food, bathing, and incontinence care. You get to be there simply as a family member with no responsibilities beyond your kind and loving presence.
Get support for end-of-life decisions. During the final stage, review your relative’s advance directive. It should give you a sense of what their wishes would be if they could speak for themselves. Difficult as these decisions are, most people feel better knowing they did their best to follow what their loved one would have wanted. If family is in disagreement, consider the assistance of an Aging Life Care Manager. They can help get everyone on the same page. They can also provide informed guidance concerning decisions about life support. If you are enrolled in hospice, a social worker can assist with a family meeting and also assist with decision making.
Funeral preparations. If you have the time and energy, it might be a good idea to start making funeral plans. It’s easier to do the preparatory work in the weeks or even months before the death. Trying to arrange for the disposition of the body and any ceremonies on short notice just adds avoidable stress to an already difficult time.
Reach out for spiritual support. If you are part of a faith community, now is an excellent time to talk with the leader of your congregation. You are likely to have many questions about the meaning and purpose of life, and why this process is as hard as it is. Faith leaders are faced with these questions regularly and can help you come to your own resolution. If you do not have a faith leader to turn to, hospice does provide a chaplain, free of charge, to families of their patients. These are faith leaders who are trained to assist even those of other faiths or no faiths. They won’t provide specific answers, but they are skilled in asking questions to help you find your own peace with the situation.
Reach out for emotional support. As a family caregiver, you have been through a very tough journey. If the emotions of the final stage feel overwhelming, reach out for professional help. An Aging Life Care Manager can help you find a counselor experienced in end-of-life issues. If you are signed up with hospice, you can request free visits from a social worker. You don’t have to shoulder this all by yourself.
Think about the final few days. Do you want to be present when the person you care for passes? Will it be too hard to have your relative die at your home? Where would be a good place? Who else would you like to have with you? While there may not be much by way of conversation with your loved one, there is a tender sweetness that frequently occurs as family members each recognize this is the last time to say things like “thank you,” “I love you,” “forgive me,” “I forgive you,” and then finally, “goodbye.”
Caregiving Corner has been a huge lifesaver for me. My brother Jim has been in their care for over a year and is receiving the warmest, kindest loving care. Their support and understanding helped us through a very dark time. Such a blessing when we needed it the most. Jennifer Szakaly is an incredible leader and an expert in her field. She is surrounded by a wonderful team. Ashlyn Hyde has been with Jim since early days and has provided excellent care through hospital visits, facility moves and day-to-day comfort. She has proven her abilities to charm clients, as well as attend to difficult details. Susan Ferone played a huge part in Jim’s care when he attended The Ivey. Deborah Agnone joined TeamJim and immediately showered Jim with lively companionship and Starbucks treats! I I live out of town from Jim and Caregiving Corner has gifted me with fantastic communication on a consistent basis. They have always taken my feelings and opinions to heart and have blessed me with peace-of-mind. I highly recommend this team!
Caregiving Corner provides exceptional care management services. Their team is thorough, compassionate, and highly professional. From coordinating care plans to advocating for their clients' needs, they go above and beyond to ensure both the well-being and independence of those they serve. Jennifer and her team are a trusted resource for families navigating the complexities of elder care. Highly recommend Caregiving Corner for anyone seeking expert, personalized support for aging loved ones! We love working with them on a weekly basis and are always impressed by their outcomes. They have assembled an amazing team.
Caregiving Corner and its team are lifesavers! Jennifer and her team, especially Susan Ferone and Ashley Brooks , are incredibly well-educated experts in caregiving. They have been instrumental in helping us navigate Senior Care issues for our parents and form the best team to partner with during this stage of our lives. Professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. Thank you for what you do!
Caregiving Corner's leadership is mission-driven. The firm's approach to care management benefits from longstanding experience, deep and broad relationships across greater Charlotte, and a proactive and forward-thinking mindset. The Aging Life Care Managers are as experienced and qualified as they are understanding and compassionate. The world of senior care can be so complicated – Caregiving Corner demystifies it with independent, objective advice you can trust. Strongly recommend them for any families navigating care for aging loved ones.
From the moment I reached out to Jennifer and her team at Caregiving Corner, I was met with compassion, understanding, and professionalism. Their attention to detail, responsiveness, and genuine care for their clients is evident in every interaction. I wholeheartedly recommend Caregiving Corner to anyone seeking guidance with care for your loved ones. They are truly a beacon of hope for families in need.
I've had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Szakaly and her team for the last 10+ years. You cannot find a more professional and compassionate group to assist families with their care needs. They are thorough, caring and truly go above and beyond to ensure the well-being and comfort of their clients. I highly recommend Caregiver Corner to anyone in need of quality need care management services in Charlotte!
Jennifer has been such a wonderful resource for me and my aging parents. My dad was sick all of a sudden, and she was able to meet with me as soon as I reached out. She was able to answer all of my questions and advise the next steps to take, as well as products to buy to make his release from hospital to home easier. I would highly recommend Caregiving Corner.
I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional care and support provided by Caregiving Corner for my mom who is in memory care. Barbara and Rachael are true patient advocates who go above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of our mom.Their kindness, love, and genuine concern for our mom's happiness and comfort have been truly remarkable. Not only have they provided excellent physical care, but they have also offered emotional support and reassurance to my family during a challenging time..I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and the genuine desire to want the best for our mom. They have created a safe and nurturing environment that is allowing her to live the best life she can. I highly recommend this extraordinary group of professionals to anyone in need of compassionate and dedicated support for their loved ones. They are a shining example of what true patient advocacy should be.Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do..
Caregiving Corner especially Ashlyn Hyde took excellent care of my mother for over 12 months. Ashlyn visited with mom once a week or whenever a need came up. My mother suffered from memory issues and mobility issues. Ashlyn and Caregiving Corner were always available to assist in additional care, doctor/hospital visits. When she was unable to live alone, Caregiving Corners were able to coordinate her move and downsize. There contacts made the relocation from Independent living to Assisted Living and then Memory care effortless, from my perspective. I live in California and mom was in Charlotte, Caregiving Corner served as an advocate for mom, always looking out for what was best for her and her condition. Finally when it came time for Hospice to enter, Ashlyn was able to recognize the need and recommend to me. I was probably in denial but trusted Ashlyn and feel mom's final days were much more comfortable and less confusing thanks to her efforts. I will always owe a debt of gratitude to Ashlyn for what she was able to provide for mom! Thanks again
I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Caregiving Corner as a Fractional COO since March 2023, and my experience has been nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I joined their team, it was evident that they prioritize their clients and care managers, fostering an environment of mutual respect and support.The company's commitment to streamlined processes and effective communication has been a game-changer. As a Fractional COO, I've had the opportunity to implement strategies that optimize operations and enhance overall efficiency. What truly sets Caregiving Corner apart is its unwavering dedication to the well-being of its clients. They prioritize open dialogue and maintain a strong sense of partnership, which has contributed significantly to the success of their education and partnerships in the community.In an industry where compassion and efficiency go hand in hand, Caregiving Conrer strikes the perfect balance.As a Fractional COO, I couldn't ask for a more fulfilling and rewarding partnership. If you're a caregiver looking for support, I wholeheartedly recommend Caregiving Corner. They are a true embodiment of integrity, compassion, and operational excellence.
Jennifer and Caregiving Corner are a trusted resource for senior care. Jennifer has a wealth of knowledge and will give you honest, unbiased advice in planning for the care of your loved one. Investing in her services is money well spent.
Jennifer and the Team at Caregiving Corner are patient, kind, courteous and generous with their time and their efforts. I would trust them implicitly with my family's best interest. Jennifer's willingness to provide support and guidance is second to none! Highly, highly recommend her services. Amazing advocate for her clients. She truly, truly cares and has their best interests at heart.
I'm writing to recommend Care Giving Corner for the best elder care management services I have come across. We were introduced to them for help with our parents' care by the Rev. Lisa Saunders at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte, who had known our family for 20 or 30 years. We had worked with a couple of the big national elder-care chains before, but their people seem so limited and their standard of care seemed very "average" at best.We work with Susan Ferone as our case worker/manager and Allyson Cooksy as our RN. They are conscientious, high-caliber, top-flight people. They're the kind of people we'd want to entertain with and be friends with, not just tolerate as hired help.They recently helped my parents identify and move to a retirement community that is a vast improvement over the retirement facility they had been in before. They connected us with services that helped with organizing, packing, moving, unpacking, setting up, and settling in. They even helped my mother find a decorator to help with some fabric choices and paint schemes to suit her new digs. That alone is half the battle - knowing who are the reliable, trustworthy service providers for various ancillary services.Allyson has helped my parents manage medical appointments, keep track of treatments and prescriptions, and devise daily structure that keeps things on track. She has helped identify and get services from therapists, etc. Allyson is amazing and a delight to be around.We live in a time when even those of us who are well-established and well-connected in our communities can feel bewildered by the experience of aging and everything that goes with it. Susan, Allyson, and their colleagues comprise an able and caring resource in an otherwise confusing and dysfunctional elder-care environment.
Jennifer and her team are top-notch and, without question, the best in the business. As an elder law attorney, I routinely refer my clients to Caregiving Corner because I know they will treat my clients like family. Thank you, Jennifer, for building such an incredible business that meets the needs of so many people!
Jennifer Szakaly is a registered guardian with high integrity and ethics. Jennifer goes above and beyond for her clients and she is not afraid to handle difficult cases and family dynamics to ensure her wards receive the best and most appropriate care. I cannot recommend her highly enough and I refer clients the Charlotte area to her very regularly. For any client in need of Aging Life Care Management or a Guardian, Jennifer and Caregiving Corner is the superior choice.
Caregiving Corner is an amazing resource for anyone who is navigating the experience of aging or caring for an aging family member. Jennifer and her team offer such a broad range of services - from helping families choose care facilities and make healthcare decisions to serving as a legal guardian for those who don't have family members (or whose family members are too unreliable). Their collective experience is invaluable, and most importantly, they have a genuine passion for working with older adults and their caregivers, and it shows. I enthusiastically recommend Caregiving Corner to everyone I know who is dealing with the often-challenging situation of caring for an aging loved one.
Since I started Transition With Care in 2009, a senior move management company, I have confidently referred my clients and families in need of care management services to Caregiving Corner. I have never received any negative feedback from my clients and consider Jennifer Szakaly and her team to be a shining example of how to help seniors and families navigate the complexities of caring for an aging loved one.
Our team at The Charlotte Assisted Living Community and Memory Care has had the pleasure of working with Jennifer and the Caregiving Corner Team for the last six months.During what can be some of the most trying and difficult times for their clients and loved ones, the Caregiving Corner team assists in navigating the journey to find a solution.Their compassion and dedication to their clients is above board. They offer a professional and sincere level of care to each family they are assisting. We look forward to our continued partnership.
I’m thankful for the guidance I’ve received from Jennifer Szakaly. She has helped me address current caregiving needs as well as understand options for what’s ahead. Her professionalism and experience is second to none.
I am an elder law attorney who has worked almost exclusively in the field of incompetency/guardianship for folks who no longer have the capacity to care for themselves. This is an extremely sensitive family matter, and the family of the incapacitated elder find themselves in a crisis and a world they do not understand. Caregiving Corner has been a savior to these families and lawyers in this field. Jennifer Szakaly, the founder and owner of Caregiving Corner, has assisted me in many cases, in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties, with evaluating, advocating for and acting as corporate guardian in these unfortunate situations. Caregiving Corner has a staff of professionals who assess the crisis, help find placement for the individual, and care for the individual and act in their best interests in all of their health matters. Jennifer is approved with the Clerks of Court who appoint her company. She is a Board member of affiliated organizations and non-profits. She is nationally certified as a corporate guardian, as well as holds degrees and other certifications in the field of geriatric care. I don't know anyone more qualified in this field or anyone more compassionate for the work she does for others.
Jennifer and her team take outstanding care of their clients and families! They are well-respected as professionals in this industry. Highly recommend Caregiving Corner!
The focus of the final stage of dementia is completely on comfort care. Physical abilities are so limited at this point that the person you care for may spend most of their time in bed or in a chair. Language abilities are also impaired, and they are not likely to be able to interact much. Keeping the person with dementia clean and content is the highest priority. Death may be postponed with interventions such as artificial feeding. But it will not be beat. Having come this far, your loved one will probably pass from the condition causing their dementia.
