Talking in end stages

Many people have said their loved ones stop talking in end stages of Parkinson's. Can you tell me if this means they are trapped in their own minds? In other words are they lucid, but just can't speak or are they not speaking because mentally they aren't really there any more. I hope this makes sense what I'm asking.

Hi Debra. While my mom suffered from progressive supernuclear palsy, it is a member of the PD family diseases. PSP has the same mask-like facial affect but is progresses 3x faster from diagnosis to end stage in 5 years vs 15 years with PD. PSP treatment includes the same meds and the swallowing difficulties are the same and can be a indication of end stage if eating and drinking has become nearly impossible. We thickened her foods with cream, mashed potatoes, and gravies for a least a year before she became monosyllabic, giving only yes or no answers. A few weeks before she died she was became able to only make eeking sounds. It took a lot of effort to make the eek noise, it was so frustrating for her. Her mind was lucid to the very end. I know she understood everything going on around her. Sometimes people do stop talking if they are depressed or introspective regarding their own death and dying but they are still present, but it does necessarily mean loss of mental acuity or loss of hearing. So sorry you are going through this difficult time. Sending you warm hugs. People do care.

I hope not. My mom stopped talking in complete sentences about 5 years ago but other than that she's pretty healthy but has PD with dementia. She eats she walks with assistance she laughs and smiles. She tries to say stuff sometimes but comes out as jibberish. The brain may be scrambled but as long as her heart is still ticking then I don't see why it would be considered the end. Knock on wood.