- Home
- START
- ABOT US
- SERVICES
- DEMENTIA STAGES
- CARE PLANS
- MUSIC THERAPY
- FOOD & HYDRATON
- RESOURCES
- CONTACT
- DEMENTIA DAILY
- OUR PHILOSOPHY
- DAILY HEALING
- HEALING THROUGH MUSIC
- HEALING THROUGH FOOD
- YOU ARE NOT ALONE
- HEALTHY MNDSET
- STAGE 1
- STAGE 2
- STAGE 2 part 2
- STAGE 3
- STAGE 3 PART 2
- STAGE 4
- SUPPORT
- STAGE 5
- STAGE 6
- STAGEE 7
- STAGE 8
- STAGE 9
- A music-assisted routine
- DAILY ROUTINE + MUSIC
Healthy Living Starts Today
Elevate Your Health with JUST FOR 2 OF US Health Coaching
Stage 7 Dementia — Comfort-Focused Exercise Guide
Goal: Ease discomfort • Prevent stiffness & pressure sores • Support circulation • Maintain dignity • Reduce agitation
How Exercise Changes in Stage 7
- Sessions: 1–3 minutes, very short
- Completely caregiver-assisted
- Absolute focus on comfort, calm and safety
- Slow, predictable, soft movements
- No standing or unsupported sitting
- Stop immediately if there is pain, fear or resistance
- Speech may be minimal — touch, tone and softness matter more
1. Passive Range-of-Motion (PROM)
These movements prevent painful joint tightening (contractures).
All movements: 3–5 times only, slow, gentle.
Shoulders
- Support elbow and wrist
- Lift arm slightly outward
- Lower slowly
Elbows
- Bend and straighten
- Support the joint fully
Hands & Fingers
- Open/close hand
- Lightly move each finger
Hips & Knees
- Bend knee toward chest gently
- Straighten leg slowly
Ankles
- Up/down movement
- Soft ankle circles
Purpose: Prevents stiffness, pain, and pressure-area damage.
2. Positioning Therapy (Extremely Important)
Changing body position protects skin, lungs and comfort.
Turn Every 2 Hours
- Side → back → other side
- Always use pillows for support
Pressure Relief
- Pillow under calves (keeps heels off bed)
- Soft cushion under arms
- Keep head slightly raised for breathing and swallowing
Chest Opening
- Gently position shoulders back
- Helps breathing and prevents tight curling
Purpose: Prevents pressure sores, improves breathing and comfort.
3. Sensory Comfort Movements (1–2 minutes)
Touch helps reduce fear and agitation.
Choose one:
Hand Massage
- Warm lotion
- Soft circles on palm and fingers
Gentle Arm/Shoulder Stroking
- Slow, rhythmic, comforting
Calming Head Touch
- Light stroking of hair or forehead
Music-Led Hand Movement
- Move hand slowly to calming music
- Helps connect emotionally
Purpose: Reduces anxiety, supports emotional comfort, improves connection.
4. Breathing & Relaxation Support (30–45 seconds)
Slow Guided Breathing
Speak softly:
“Breathe in… breathe out…”
Even if they cannot follow, the tone soothes them.
Rhythm with Touch
- Light tap on shoulder or hand
- Slow, steady rhythm
- Comforting and grounding
With Soft Music
- Slow instrumental, hymns, or familiar songs
- Helps regulate their breathing naturally
Purpose: Helps settle agitation and makes the person feel safe.
Daily Schedule (Simple & Gentle)
Repeat this small cycle 2–3 times daily:
Morning (2–3 minutes)
- Passive arm & hand movements
- Hand massage
Afternoon (2–3 minutes)
- Leg/knee PROM
- Repositioning
- Calming music
Evening (1–2 minutes)
- Shoulder/neck comfort stretch
- Slow breathing support
- Reposition for sleep comfort
Small, frequent comfort movements are more helpful than long sessions.
Essential Safety in Stage 7
- Never force movement
- If there is resistance, stop
- Keep voice low, soft and soothing
- Warm hands before touch
- Move joints slowly and in natural directions
- Check for pain signs: facial tension, moaning, stiffening
- Keep skin clean, dry, moisturised
- Always support all joints
- Ensure room is warm and calm
Why Comfort-Movement Still Matters
Even in late dementia, gentle movement:
- Prevents painful contractures
- Reduces pressure sores
- Improves sleep
- Helps breathing
- Reduces agitation and restlessness
- Increases emotional comfort
- Supports dignity and love through touch
Healthy Living Starts Today
Stage 7 Dementia — Very Severe Cognitive Decline
(Loss of communication, mobility, and full independence)
Overview
Stage 7 is the most advanced stage of dementia.
A person now experiences severe memory loss, major physical decline, and near-total dependence on caregivers.
Speech becomes extremely limited or disappears, and the person may no longer recognise family members.
Even at this stage, the person can still experience comfort, soothing, connection, and emotional presence, especially through music, touch, calm voices, and routine.
Common Symptoms in Stage 7
1. Very Limited or No Speech
- May speak only a few words or none
- Communication becomes non-verbal
- Facial expressions or sounds express needs
2. Loss of Ability to Walk Independently
- Needs full assistance to move
- May require wheelchair support
- Balance becomes very poor
- Increased risk of falls and injuries
3. Loss of Ability to Sit Up or Hold Posture
- Difficulty sitting without support
- May lean to one side
- Muscles weaken significantly
4. Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)
- Slow chewing
- Coughing during meals
- Risk of choking
- Needs soft or puréed foods
- Requires supervised feeding
5. Severe Memory Loss
- Does not recognise close family
- No awareness of date, place, or situation
- No recall of recent events
- May appear in their own internal world
6. Loss of Daily Living Skills
- Cannot dress, bathe, or toilet independently
- Needs full assistance with personal care
- Incontinence is common
7. Increased Sleep & Reduced Awareness
- Sleeps for long periods
- Limited engagement with surroundings
- May respond only to comforting stimuli
8. Behavioural & Physical Symptoms
- Restlessness or agitation
- Moaning, calling out, repetitive sounds
- Muscle stiffness or rigid limbs
- Seizures in some cases
- Weight loss due to swallowing difficulties
Daily Life Impact
At Stage 7, the person:
- Requires 24-hour hands-on care
- Cannot communicate needs clearly
- Needs full support with feeding, toileting, and hygiene
- Loses most physical abilities
- May experience pain or discomfort but cannot express it
- Benefits deeply from gentle touch, soft music, familiar scents, a warm tone of voice
Even if words are gone, emotional memories remain.
Love, kindness, and presence still reach them.
How Families & Carers Can Support
- Use very gentle, slow movements
- Keep the environment calm and quiet
- Play soft, familiar music
- Use touch (holding hands, gentle massage)
- Maintain comfortable positioning in bed or chair
- Use soft lighting and reduce overstimulation
- Supervise all meals to prevent choking
- Consult healthcare teams for pain management
- Offer emotional presence, even in silence
Safety Considerations
- Prevent pressure sores (regular repositioning)
- Support head and neck during transfers
- Use bed rails or padding if appropriate
- Watch closely during feeding
- Monitor breathing, swallowing, and signs of discomfort
- Keep the home/room clutter-free
When to Seek Medical Support
Medical guidance is needed for:
- Sudden changes in breathing
- Refusal or inability to swallow food
- Strong agitation or distress
- Signs of pain, infection, or fever
- Bed sores or skin breakdown
- Seizures or fainting
Palliative or hospice services may provide additional comfort-focused care at this stage.
