Abstract
Significant loss of speech often restricts people with advanced dementia in their ability to properly articulate their needs and wishes verbally. Therefore, providing care oriented to the needs of people affected is challenging for caregivers. This case study analyzed the needs of a nursing home resident with severe dementia at the end of life. A variety of different means of communication could be identified for expressing needs and wishes in daily personal care. Caregivers are ableto provide care focused on the individual needs given the prerequisite that they have the ability to recognize and interpret residents' expressive behavior. This requires communication training and palliative care training specified for caregivers in contact with persons with severe dementia.