The average life expectancy of people with dementia at time of diagnosis
A study from Erasmus MC University Medical Centre in the Netherlands found that the average life expectancy of people with dementia depends on age, gender, and other factors.
The average life expectancy of people with dementia at time of diagnosis ranged from 5.7 years at age 65 to 2.2 at age 85 in men and from 8.0 to 4.5, respectively, in women.
About one third of remaining life expectancy was lived in nursing homes, with more than half of people moving to a nursing home within five years after a dementia diagnosis.
Prognosis after a dementia diagnosis is highly dependent on personal and clinical characteristics, offering potential for individualised prognostic information and care planning.
Dr Alex Osborne, policy manager at Alzheimer’s Society, said “Getting a diagnosis has a wide range of benefits, unlocking access to vital care, support and treatment and helping people to live well for longer.
“But right now, a third of people living with dementia in England don’t have a diagnosis at all. This needs to change."