What do dementia patients die from?

Pneumonia is #1: After pneumonia, the causes of death are often related to other health conditions such as heart disease, strokes and cancer. Most types of dementia do not kill a person directly although there are exceptions. Signs that someone is nearing the end of life include weight loss, loss of interest in walking and decreased interactions with others.

Commonly, infection: Patients with advanced dementia develop worsening swallowing difficulties; they aspirate while eating/drinking. Can even aspirate on their own saliva, leading to pneumonia. Common causes of death = infection (e.g. Pneumonia, bladder, blood stream), dehydration and malnutrition. Main thing to understand: decline is natural progression of dementia and to keep loved ones comfortable when end is near.