7. Food and hydration

In the end stages of dementia (that is, in the last few months or weeks of life), the person’s food and fluid intake tends to decrease slowly over time. The body adjusts to this slowing down process and the reduced intake. It is thought that in Later Stage the hunger and thirst part of the brain (hypothalamus) has now stopped functioning for most people.

The person may be immobile and so not need the same amount of calories to sustain their energy levels. Having reduced food and fluid intake and decreased interest can be thought of as a ‘natural part’ of end of life and dying.

As dementia progresses it affects the area of the brain that controls swallowing. In advanced dementia the person may have a weak swallow or lose the ability to swallow safely.