Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Dementia Affects Older AdultsRisk FactorsLife Expectancy for Different Types of DementiaFactors That Affect Life ExpectancyHow to Improve Your Quality of LifePreventing DementiaNext in Dementia Guide10 Signs Death Is Near When a Person Has Dementia
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Dementia Affects Older Adults
Risk Factors
Life Expectancy for Different Types of Dementia
Factors That Affect Life Expectancy
How to Improve Your Quality of Life
Preventing Dementia
Next in Dementia Guide
More than 55 million people worldwide experience dementia, with dementia affecting more females than males. Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally, and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
This article will discuss the different types of dementia, life expectancy after diagnosis, and factors that affect life expectancy.
Thomas Tolstrup / Getty Images
While some age-related memory changes are expected, dementia is not considered anormal part of aging. Yet age, in and of itself, is the strongest known risk factor for dementia.
This is due to changes in the brains of older adults. About 3% of people ages 70 to 74 are diagnosed with dementia, but that rises to 22% between the ages of 85 and 89, and 33% of those over age 90.
It’s common to occasionally forget where you put your keys or the name of the person you just met. What is not normal aging is forgetting the knowledge you once needed regularly to do your job, language, or important memories. Dementia disease symptoms can include:
Certain lifestyle factors are associated with dementia in older adults, including social isolation and the built environment of the community you live in.
Alzheimer’s diseaseis the most common form of dementia, and it is most common in individuals over the age of 65. There are an estimated 6.7 million individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in America. By 2060, the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in America is projected to grow to 13.8 million.
Young-Onset Dementia
Additionally, it is more common that the cause of dementia is reversible in younger populations. Dementia can have metabolic, inflammatory, viral, or toxic causes. Sometimes, these conditions are treatable.
The initial symptoms of young-onset dementia are often more variable than those of late-onset dementia. Symptoms may include challenges with behavior, personality changes, or executive functioning challenges. The initial presentation may look more like apsychiatric illnessthan dementia. As a result, delays in diagnosis are common.
While scientists don’t entirely understand whatcauses dementia, they suspect that a combination of changes in the brain from aging, combined with genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors, play a role.There are several risk factors for dementia.
It can take some time for symptoms to develop, too. It is theorized that the brain changes that lead to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s begin over a decade before any noticeable symptoms appear.
Famous People With Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia
Life expectancy after diagnosis depends on several factors, including age at diagnosis, the stage of dementia, other health conditions, general health, and the type of dementia.
For example, individuals withcardiovascular diseasemay be more likely to develop dementia. Their cardiovascular disease may contribute to a shorter life expectancy.
Individuals who receive a late-stage diagnosis may experiencedifficulties with swallowingor a weakened immune response. They may spend more time in bed, leading to increased frailty. These factors can all lead to a shorter life expectancy.
The type of dementia also plays a role. Those with vascular dementia are at an increased risk of heart disease andstroke. So, someone with this type of dementia may have a shorter life expectancy, regardless of the stage of dementia they are in.
The average life expectancy for several types of dementia is as follows:
These are simply averages. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may live beyond 10 years if they are diagnosed at a younger age and in overall good health at diagnosis. However, someone diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies may be at an increased fall risk and have a shorter life expectancy.
Taking care of your mental and physical health is essential in early-stage dementia. This means eating healthy, exercising, staying social, focusing on good sleep, andbeing mindful.
Several factors determine longevity after diagnosis. Being a female, receiving an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis vs. a different type of dementia, younger age at diagnosis, and an earlier stage of dementia all contribute positively to a longer lifespan.
Other factors can negatively affect life expectancy, such as:
Increased age and male gender are the most consistent factors for reduced life expectancy after diagnosis.While these risk factors are non-modifiable, you can still improve your quality of life.
Once an individual has been diagnosed with dementia, care recommendations include:
The extent to which a person with the disease can maintain their social relationships can also play a significant role. Patients should talk with their doctor or a psychologist for strategies to cope with social situations.
In addition, maintaining household responsibilities for as long as possible can helpimprove the quality of lifeand prevent an individual from being chair-bound. In later stages, a patient’s needs may change, and caregivers need to know how to care for themselves and their loved ones.
While there is no cure for dementia, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can delay the disease’s onset or prevent it from happening in some instances. Once diagnosed, several measures can provide whole-person dementia care.
Keep in mind, though, that many people live with severe disability due to their advancing disease. A 2020 study found that among more than 50,000 people ages 65 and over who were diagnosed with dementia, about 41% died within 10 years. The average survival time was a little over five years for females and four years for males.
Regarding dementia, diagnosis, and onset may be partially preventable with lifestyle modification. A 2022 study examined five healthy lifestyle factors of several thousand men and women aged 65 and older. The five factors included:
Those with four or five healthy lifestyle factors as opposed to zero or one healthy lifestyle factor had a longer life expectancy and fewer years of life with Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle may have a 60% reduced rate of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
A 2020 report on dementia lists 12 preventable risk factors for dementia and estimates that 40% of dementia cases could be prevented if those risk factors are modified. Actions individuals can take toreduce dementia riskinclude the following:
Medications to treat high blood pressure are currently the only known medications that can help prevent dementia.
There have been many studies looking into theuse of puzzlesand other forms of “mental fitness” to help delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A famous older study of nuns showed that the individuals most curious and engaged mentally in the world had a lower risk of developingAlzheimer’s diseaseand dementia.
Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease
Summary
Dementia is a common condition among people 65 and older. While it is more common in older individuals, it is not a part of normal aging.
Dementia cannot be entirely prevented, but several modifiable risk factors and lifestyle factors can delay the onset of dementia. In some instances, lifestyle modifications may prevent dementia from happening. For example, quitting smoking, remaining active, and managingchronic health conditionssuch as high blood pressure can all reduce dementia risk.
There is no cure for dementia. However, several ways exist to improve your quality of life after a dementia diagnosis. If you are concerned that you are someone you care about may be experiencing dementia, contact your healthcare provider for advice.
17 Sources
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