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Life Expectancy Vascular Dementia Age 70

How Do You Know What Stage Of Dementia Someone Is In

Vascular Dementia CFC (Canada)

During the diagnosis of dementia your doctor should be able to tell you which stage your symptoms are at. Most people are diagnosed around stage 3 or 4 this is when symptoms tend to have a noticeable impact on daily living.

There are over 100 types of dementia, each with some differing symptoms. However, things like memory loss and a change in cognitive function are common characteristics with most dementias.

While specific symptoms can start or get worse at any stage, most cases of dementia follow a similar pattern to the below.

1. No impairment. A person shows no signs of dementia, however some cognitive performance tests may suggest a problem.

2. Very mild decline. A person may start to show very slight behavioural symptoms. They may also begin to experience very mild or occasional memory loss. They will still be able to live and function independently.

3. Mild decline. This is when a person will have a more noticeable change in their cognitive ability. They may start to find decision making and reasoning more difficult. They may begin to repeat themselves a lot, or forget things that have happened recently.

4. Moderate decline. A person at this stage will usually have a lot of difficulty making plans. Theyre likely to frequently forget recent events too. Travelling can become confusing at this stage and they may become lost when going somewhere on their own. This is often referred to as middle stage dementia.

Life Expectancy By Stage Of The Disease

The average number of years a person lives with Alzheimers disease is about 10. Keep in mind, however, that theres a gap between when symptoms begin and when a diagnosis is actually sought. The first symptoms of Alzheimers diseaseforgetting names, misplacing items, difficulty concentrating at work or performing simple tasksarrive an average of almost three years before the diagnosis is made.

The scale most commonly used by health professionals for the stages of dementia is the Global Deterioration Scale , also called the Reisberg Scale. The table below shows a patients average life expectancy by the stage of dementia. These are averages based on studies of large numbers of Alzheimers patients.

Life Expectancy By Stage of Alzheimers / Dementia
Stage
Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline 1.5 to 2.5 years 2.5 years or less

Factors That Affect Life Expectancy With Dementia

As with life expectancy in general, many factors affect the expected length of survival after a diagnosis of dementia. If we include everyone of all ages, average life expectancy is decreased by almost nine years by dementia, but this number can be further refined based on individual characteristics. For example, an individuals sex is a factor affecting survival after dementia, just as it affects life expectancy in general. At all ages, expected survival after a dementia diagnosis is about 1.5 years longer for women than for men. Scientists are researching the biological basis for this, and it may also be explained in part by differences in social norms .

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Lewy Body Dementia Prognosis

Lewy body dementia is a form of dementia characterized by the development of abnormal deposits in the brain. People with Lewy body dementia have trouble with movement as well as cognitive decline. Thinking problems generally show up before movement problems. As Lewy body dementia progresses, affected individuals may also experience visual hallucinations and sleep problems.

Life expectancy for a person with Lewy body dementia is approximately 2 to 8 years after the onset of noticeable symptoms.

Improving Quality Of Life

Alzheimers Disease

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive impairment is not the only determinant of quality of life. While you can’t change factors such as age at diagnosis or gender, research shows that the care that a person receives impacts life expectancy. Be sure that you explore options when it comes to creating a care plan for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and take advantage of any support groups or other resources that may help.

Recent research indicates that factors associated with a lower quality of life for Alzheimer’s disease patients include patient depression and anxiety, and having to take multiple medicinesindicative of having other disease states to manage. Efforts to improve the quality of life for patients should include an assessment of these factors so they can be effectively addressed. Caregiver quality of life should also be assessed, especially as the disease progresses and the burden of caregiving increases.

The extent to which a person with the disease can maintain his or her social relationships can also play a large 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 able can help improve the quality of life. In later stages, a patient’s needs may change, and it is important for a caregiver to know how to care for themselves in addition to their loved one.

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Vascular Dementia Prognosis And Life Expectancy

Vascular dementia is a progressive condition that impairs memory and mental function due to decreased blood flow to the brain. Its the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimers disease. Vascular dementia can also occur along with Alzheimers disease. Like any form of dementia, it can be difficult to watch a family member or friend lose cognitive function. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for the journey ahead of you. Here is a look at how the disease can progress and what it means for vascular dementia prognosis and life expectancy.

The Short Answer To A Big Question

On this page we will discuss the development of an Alzheimers / dementia Life Expectancy Calculator, but lets first address the question most people ask after receiving the diagnosis of an incurable disease: How long do I have left to live? With dementia, the answer differs depending on the type. By far the most common form of dementia is Alzheimers disease, and the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 10 years. Other dementias have different life expectancies. Someone with vascular dementia lives for about five years after diagnosis. Someone who has dementia with Lewy bodies will typically live for six to twelve more years.

Average life expectancies for the most common types of dementia are as follows:

Dementia type

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How Does Dementia Reduce Life Expectancy

When it comes to life expectancy with dementia, theres no simple answer. How long people can live with their symptoms depends on a range of factors including the form of dementia a person has, how fast it progresses, and their overall health.

However, speaking in very broad terms, dementia may shorten life expectancy in one of the following ways.

The first is due to other closely linked conditions. Vascular dementia for example is linked to things like heart disease and stroke. Both of these can be life-threatening, and could increase someones mortality risk at any stage of dementia.

The second way life expectancy can be shortened is through the degenerative nature of the symptoms of dementia.

Those living with later-stage dementia are likely to be frail and may spend more time in bed. Being less mobile can cause mucus and fluids build up in the chest leading to infections such as pneumonia. It can also increase the risk of developing blood clots in the heart or lungs.

Another late stage dementia symptom is difficulty chewing and swallowing. This can make it harder for someone with dementia to get all the nutrients their body needs, or stay properly hydrated.

Often by this stage of dementia people will have a weaker immune system too. A weaker immune system makes infection and illness more dangerous as theyre harder to fight off.

What Is The Life Expectancy For Dementia Over 80 Years Old

What is vascular dementia?

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, life expectancy is one of the first questions many families want to discuss.

But there is no simple answer to the question of dementia life expectancy over 80 years old.

This is due to multiple factors such as the type of dementia that has been diagnosed.

In addition, certain lifestyle factors come into play many can have a detrimental effect on someones health.

Generally, dementia life expectancy is going to decrease, the older a person is.

This is due to their overall more vulnerable state of health than a younger person.

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Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia Life Expectancy

Researchers in 2016 estimated that there were 43.8 million people in the world with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia27 million women and 16.8 million men. These numbers are growing rapidly. In fact, it’s expected to more than double to 100 million by 2050. Here’s what you should know about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia life expectancy.

Importance Of Quality Of Life

One way to consider how residential settings impact dementia life expectancy over 80 is by looking at quality of life.

For people living with dementia, quality of life refers to aspects of satisfaction in five key areas, as outlined in this scientific study.

  • material and physical well-being
  • social, community and civic activities
  • personal development and fulfillment

The study shows a number of significant findings into residential settings and dementia, looking at the prevalence of individuals living with severe dementia in each setting.

Although this study is not conclusive and further studies are needed to effectively assess the impact of residential settings, quality of life is a key consideration for where your loved one should live.

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How Long Will A Person With Dementia Live For

As with many life-limiting conditions, its difficult to state an average life span. Some people can live for decades with dementia while others may go through severe decline in a few months. It depends on a huge range of factors including the type of dementia theyve been diagnosed with, their overall health, and the age of diagnosis.

A persons sex may be a factor too. In the UK there are more cases of dementia in women than in men, however women tend to live longer than men too. For women, the average life expectancy without dementia is 82 years old, compared to 79 years old for men. And, nearly 3 in 4 people over 90 are women.

Life expectancy estimates do exist, however these are based on previous studies of patients with dementia. They shouldnt be relied on as fact because the dementia experience varies from person to person.

  • Alzheimers disease This is the most common type of dementia causing condition. Life expectancy estimates are usually around eight to 12 years but are often less for those diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. However some people have lived with Alzheimers disease for 20+ years.
  • Vascular dementia This is one of the most common forms of dementia, with an estimated average life span of around five years. Its lower than the estimate for Alzheimers because its closely linked to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.

How To Get A Better Idea Of Life Expectancy For Your Individual Dementia Journey

The Best Life Expectancy For Dementia Stages 2022

Your GP should always be your first point of contact when it comes to understanding life expectancy, and preparing for the future.

After a dementia diagnosis your GP will closely track your cognitive status, physical abilities and how you get on with daily activities during your annual review. If your symptoms change suddenly, you can make an appointment with them anytime for support.

While theres no cure, there are things you can try to keep your mind active, and reduce risk factors for associated conditions.

If you have a history of low mental health, your doctor may suggest starting a form of antidepressant. Depression and anxiety can be common for those living with dementia, particularly vascular dementia.

In older people, depressive symptoms can include difficulty getting enough quality sleep, feeling agitated, and body aches. In the later stages of dementia people with depression can become very tearful and go through periods of weight-loss.

Because these symptoms can be damaging, your GP will likely encourage you to try a form of talking therapy if youre in the early stages of dementia. While dementia can make it more difficult to communicate and reason, having a safe space to talk to a professional counsellor or therapist without judgment can be comforting.

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What Is Vascular Dementia

Considered the second most common dementia behind Alzheimers, Vascular Dementia accounts for 20-30 % of dementia cases. Vascular Dementia occurs when thinking skills are rapidly changed, usually following suit after a major event like strokes. The condition usually goes from mild to worse, with time progression. Vascular Dementia, because of its behaviors and properties, is often credited as Alzheimers Disease, however the two are slightly different in their behaviors.

Life Expectancy Of Vascular Dementia

After stroke episodes that lead to Vascular Dementia, life expectancy differ in their options. A concise age range that is expected to live to with Vascular Dementia, is unavailable, however if little action is taken to treat the condition, the expectancy can almost be cut in half. Talking to a medical professional, like a doctor, can inform people more on the condition itself, and what measures should be taken if someone has it.

Typically, cases that result in Vascular Dementia generally put life expectancies at around three years after a stroke episode. These are standard results for all stroke cases, however its pretty general for all cases. Understanding symptoms of Vascular Dementia early on can greatly increase the range of life expectancy, as long as health and care factors are taken care of in the process.

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Stages Of Vascular Dementia

As mentioned before, the process is very gradual, though the patients with vascular dementia begin to portray signs of this condition within 6 months from the time of their stroke. People begin to realize that they are finding it hard to keep up with their daily tasks, and are finding it hard to remember facts. Some experience difficulties in talking, with their speech becoming slurred and unclear. Walking also becomes hard, as they cant coordinate their feet properly. Climbing up and down the stairs becomes extremely difficult with some patients refusing to climb down as they fear that they will fall down. They find it difficult to sleep, which makes them cranky and thus, they feel lethargic all the time. One of the other symptoms of the vascular dementia progression, is that they gradually find it hard to comprehend things being told to them. They may end up talking of things that are not all related to what they are being asked to do or say.

Vascular Dementia Stages

Dementia With Lewy Bodies Life Expectancy

Dementia: End Stage of Life

The life expectancy of dementia with Lewy bodies is around six years. The physical symptoms of dementia with lewy bodies increases a persons risk of falls and infections.

Please remember that these numbers are just guidelines.

Every individual is unique and will have their own experience of the condition. It is impossible to put exact numbers that apply to everyone.

If you have any serious concerns please discuss them with your doctor.

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Why Knowing Life Expectancy Is Useful

Knowing what to expect, including life expectancy helps with planning. Someone predicted to survive for five or six years, as opposed to two years, will want to make more extensive plans, including getting an estate in order, activity planning, and budget. Knowing how quickly the disease is expected to progress symptomatically can impact care decisions. If the disease is predicted to come on very quickly, for example, then skipping traditional assisted living and looking into memory care or a nursing home might be the best option.

Knowing when full-time care becomes a requirement, either at-home or in a memory care residence, is especially useful given the high cost of care. It is estimated that 50% of nursing home residents have some level of dementia and over 60% of nursing home residents care is paid for by Medicaid. Medicaid eligibility is complicated, and families can spend up to 5 years waiting for a loved one with dementia to become Medicaid-eligible. Therefore, knowing how soon care is required can make a huge financial difference.

Contribute anonymously to our dementia life expectancy database. Start here.

Factors That Determine Longevity

One study of 438 patients in the U.K. found that the main factors that determine how long a person lives after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are age, gender, and level of disability. Here are the main research findings:

  • Women lived an average of 4.6 years after diagnosis, and men lived 4.1 years.
  • People diagnosed when under age 70 lived 10.7 years compared to 3.8 years for people over 90 when diagnosed.
  • Patients who were frail at the time of diagnosis did not live as long, even after adjusting for age.
  • Overall, the average survival time for someone in the study diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia was 4.5 years.

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The Later Stage Of Dementia

Understanding the signs of late-stage dementia can help ensure a person gets the right level of care and support. For example, those living with advanced dementia are especially prone to infection, constipation, and skin ulcers which can put their life in danger if treatment is delayed.

Sometimes infection and illness can lead to delirium which can cause people to become confused, resist help, and experience hallucinations. The cause of delirium requires urgent medical attention, and some people may not recover completely from the effects. Signs of late-stage dementia include

  • Speaking in single words, or repeated phrases that dont make sense
  • Not being able to understand what people are saying to them, or things that are happening around them
  • Needing help with most daily tasks
  • Eating less because they find it difficult to swallow, or have less of an appetite
  • Being unable to take part in simple physical activity such as walking, standing, or sitting upright

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