Prevalence and characteristics of a group dementia patients in the final phase of dementia.There is scant literature about patients in the final phase of dementia. Uniform terminology and operational definition of the final phase of dementia is lacking. Furthermore, it is difficult to monitor these patients because existing assessment scales face bottom- or ceiling effects in this population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and the characteristics of patients in the final phase of dementia in a group of 210 Dutch nursing home patients with dementia. Stage 7 of the Global Deterioration Scale of Reisberg et al. was used to operationally define the final phase of dementia. All patients were scored on a self-constructed assessment scale. Furthermore, treatment aspects and advance directives were registered.Twelve percent (26) of the dementia patients admitted to the psychogeriatric wards met the criteria for final phase of dementia. There was considerable variation in the characteristics of the patients. This study gives a start to further research on aspects of the final phase of dementia.