Late stage

During the final stage, known as the late-stage or severe stage, there is complete dependence on caregivers.[15][24][32] Language is reduced to simple phrases or even single words, eventually leading to complete loss of speech.[32][36] Despite the loss of verbal language abilities, people can often understand and return emotional signals. Although aggressiveness can still be present, extreme apathy and exhaustion are much more common symptoms. People with Alzheimer's disease will ultimately not be able to perform even the simplest tasks independently; muscle mass and mobility deteriorates to the point where they are bedridden and unable to feed themselves. The cause of death is usually an external factor, such as infection of pressure ulcers or pneumonia, not the disease itself.[32] In some cases, there is a paradoxical lucidity immediately before death, where there is an unexpected recovery of mental clarity.[39]