why do people die from dementia

People die from dementia primarily because the progressive brain damage caused by dementia affects critical bodily functions and leads to severe complications. Dementia diseases damage brain regions controlling memory, decision-making, and eventually the brainstem, which governs essential functions such as breathing, swallowing, and heart rate. As the condition advances, people lose the ability to swallow properly, increasing the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs (aspiration), which frequently causes aspiration pneumonia—a leading cause of death in dementia patients. Additionally, dementia weakens the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections, which can become fatal if untreated. Other contributing factors include falls, malnutrition, dehydration, and complications from other chronic conditions. Ultimately, dementia results in failure of vital body systems, leading to death either directly from brain cell loss or indirectly through complications triggered by the disease progression.