Which nutritional concerns arise in advanced Alzheimer's disease?

In advanced Alzheimer's disease, individuals typically experience significant challenges related to nutrition, most notably weight loss and difficulty swallowing. As the disease progresses, cognitive deficits can impair the person's ability to recognize food, understand the process of eating, or even remember to eat at all. This can lead to inadequate caloric intake and subsequent weight loss, which is a common concern in patients at this stage.

Additionally, swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia, often develop in advanced stages of the disease. This condition can result in choking hazards or aspiration, where food or liquid enters the airway, posing severe health risks. These factors combined make it crucial for caregivers and healthcare providers to monitor and manage the nutritional needs of individuals with advanced Alzheimer's to ensure that they receive adequate nourishment and maintain hydration while minimizing the risk of complications related to swallowing.