Loss of speech is a common part of dementia as the condition gets worse. In the early stages, people might just have trouble finding the right words or pause during conversations. They may repeat themselves or use simpler words. As dementia moves into the middle stages, these problems become more noticeable. People may struggle to follow conversations, forget names, or have trouble understanding what others are saying. They might also start to use fewer words or stop talking as much.
By the later stages of dementia, speech often becomes very limited. Many people can only say a few words or sounds, or they may stop speaking altogether. This happens because the parts of the brain that control language are damaged. At this point, communication is mostly nonverbal. People might respond to touch, music, or familiar faces, even if they cannot talk. They may also need help with eating, moving, and other daily activities.
The exact stage when speech is lost can vary depending on the type of dementia. For example, in Alzheimer’s disease, speech problems usually start in the moderate stage and get worse in the advanced stage. In frontotemporal dementia, especially the primary progressive aphasia type, speech problems can appear earlier and progress more quickly. No matter the type, losing the ability to speak is a sign that the person needs more support and care.
Sources
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17387-primary-progressive-aphasia-ppa
https://optoceutics.com/do-dementia-patients-know-they-are-dying-death-signs-final-stage/
https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/alzheimers-disease-everything-you-need-know
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontotemporal_dementia
https://alpinefireside.com/2025/10/23/early-dementia-when-memory-care/
https://relish-life.com/en-us/blogs/articles/dementia-types
https://www.aegisliving.com/the-stages-of-caregiving-the-changes-you-will-face-with-dementia-2/
