Is this the end and/or progression of Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a progressive condition. I talk with my dad’s doctor at each (every 3 months) visit about symptoms and progression. If she’s wandering, I’d avoid leaving her unattended in her home for any amount of time. I’d ask her doctor about her appetite. That could be any number of things or Alz. My dad just had a sharp decrease in his after quite a few years with Alz. We are now offering him soft foods and accept his decision about eating. His body may not be able to process it. We are pursuing a hospice evaluation soon.

I've watched people, whether spouses or adult children, pull out all the stops to keep a loved one alive. When someone is leaving, ie. dying, it's natural to want to halt the process with interventions such as taking trips, going to social events, encouraging if not forcing the person to eat. All of this frantic activity is about the person engaging in it; I'm not convinced that it's at all helpful to the terminal individual. Rather than employing every possible intervention, incurring lots of expense, and expending precious energy on the impossible, I'd prefer to allow my body to do what it's meant to do, as gently and with as much dignity as possible. The Victorians used to describe a peaceful demise as a "good death." I don't want to sentimentalize what is incredibly difficult and wrenching, but sometimes it's time to stop trying to alter the course of nature.

As has been mentioned, Alzheimer's is a progressive disease and is ultimately terminal. Organs begin to fail and there is a "failure to thrive". The only thing I would possibly be concerned about is the possibility the decline is caused by something easily treated like a UTI or minor dehydration. But it does nothing beneficial to try to force someone to eat. Offer favorite foods that are easy to manage. Offer fluids (thickened if necessary due to aspiration), encourage mobility (if it is feasible and safe). Think about comfort and dignity. Prolonging someone's life when they have advanced dementia is neither desirable nor indicated. Ask yourself, if you were in this condition, what would you want done. Consider hospice care (most people wait too late for hospice to be of much help).

I have told my children so many times that I want no intervention but comfort when I am no longer able to care for myself and make my own decisions. They are to make decisions for me, in keeping with my known wishes. That includes withholding life-prolonging care. There is a time to let our loved ones go, especially if that is their (previously stated) desire. If you don't know, ask yourself what YOU would want done if you were the patient. The answer is usually obvious.

@kari99 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect ! We’re glad you’re here and have felt comfortable enough to start a discussion.

My dad made his wishes known in his Healthcare POA and Advance Medical Directive, so no prolonging life in light of his condition. His DNR and other Orders signed by his doctor are now in effect as well.

Giving someone who is dying things to drink, when they are clearly not eating and drinking only prolongs death. Refusal of food and drink is part of the dying process.

IMHO as a practitioner, putting in a nasogastric tube or an IV simply to hydrate a dying person who is eligible for hospice is inhumane.

My advance directive - if I am terminal and refuse water and food - orders that no artificial means of hydration or nutrition is to be placed.

IVs and nasogastric tubes are considered artificial life support in the death and dying process, as are respiratory assistance via a ventilator.

As someone else mentioned: it could be a urinary tract infection.
It could also be pneumonia.

If she will still eat and is lethargic, check for infections/get bloodwork asap.