Final answer:
A late loss ADL in the context of Alzheimer's disease is a basic function such as the ability to control bladder and bowel functions or proper swallowing, which is typically lost during the severe stages of dementia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among activities of daily living (ADLs), a late loss ADL refers to an activity that a person loses the ability to do in the advanced stages of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Early loss ADLs generally include more complex tasks like managing finances or medications, whereas late loss ADLs involve basic functions that are typically preserved until the severe stages of dementia.
Examples of late loss ADLs include losing the ability to control bladder and bowel functions, proper swallowing, or even walking. These functions are affected during the severe stage of Alzheimer's when much of the brain is affected, and patients become fully dependent on others for their care. In the context of AD, as the disease progresses from moderate to severe, patients start to lose these basic functions, which are crucial for independent living.