What might caregivers notice about communication in an advanced Alzheimer's patient?

In advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, communication abilities significantly decline due to the progression of neurodegeneration affecting cognitive functions, including language processing and speech. Caregivers often notice that a patient may only be able to say a few words or phrases. This limitation arises because the brain's ability to formulate thoughts, access vocabulary, and construct coherent sentences diminishes.

As the disease progresses, patients might struggle to express themselves verbally, leading to a reliance on basic and familiar language. Caregivers often observe that patients can often recognize certain words or phrases and may revert to repetitive speech that is familiar or comforting to them. This aspect of communication not only reflects the cognitive impairment associated with Alzheimer's but also highlights the emotional and social challenges faced by both the patient and the caregiver.

The other potential communication behaviors noted in the other choices, such as speaking in complete sentences, singing songs frequently, or engaging in storytelling, are less common in advanced stages. While some patients may demonstrate moments of clarity or engage with music, these instances are often exceptions rather than the norm and are typically less prevalent than the fundamental communication breakdown represented by the ability to only say a few words or phrases.