How Long Can You Live With Dementia? Stages, Progression, and Treatment Impact
When families receive a dementia diagnosis, they often ask, how long can you live with dementia after diagnosis? Many factors contribute to this answer, including but not limited to: what type of dementia was diagnosed, when the diagnosis was made, the person’s overall health status, and access to treatment.
The average life expectancy for someone diagnosed with dementia will vary greatly depending on many factors. Dementia is a progressive disease; however, one of the most effective ways to improve both the quality of life and life expectancy is through early diagnosis and proper management of the disease using any available care option.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is a broad term that describes a decline in cognitive function so significant that it affects a person’s daily routine and activities. The most prevalent form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but there are also several other forms of dementia, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.
Dementia affects a person’s ability to remember, reason, behave, and perform routine tasks according to the Alzheimer’s Association and the Mayo Clinic. Many families ask whether or not dementia is a terminal condition. Dementia is a progressive condition that can eventually lead to serious complications. However, life expectancy varies widely depending on the type of dementia, overall health, and quality of care.
How Long Can You Live With Dementia?
Life expectancy with dementia cannot be predicted by an exact timeline.
Generally speaking, people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s will, on average, some individuals live several years after diagnosis, while others may live much longer depending on the type of dementia and overall health.
In addition, there are many types of dementia, and the rate of progression varies (some types may progress much more quickly than others)
How long a person with dementia may live is determined by the following factors:
- What type of dementia do they have?
- How old they were at diagnosis;
- Their general health (and other chronic conditions);
- The quality of medical care and support they receive.
- Whether they were diagnosed early or late in the process.
Younger people diagnosed with early-stage dementia may live longer if they get appropriate treatment and care. But someone diagnosed later or with other health issues may have a shorter trajectory than the same person diagnosed at an earlier age.
Dementia is a chronic progressive disease; however, by getting proactive medical care, individuals can remain as independent as possible for an extended time and avoid significant complications.
Stages of Dementia
- Early Stage (Mild Dementia)
- Mild lapses in memory
- Difficulty finding words
- Difficulty organizing or completing complex tasks
- Able to function independently with some minimal assistance.
- This stage could last for years or decades.
- Middle Stage(Moderate Dementia)
- Increased confusion
- Changes in personality and behavior
- Need for daily living support.
- Increased likelihood of wandering/poor sleep.
- This stage generally lasts the longest time and necessitates formalized assistance.
- Late Stage (Severe Dementia)
- No longer able to communicate verbally or have a limited ability to communicate.
- Unable to walk; cannot independently swallow.
- Full-time care required.
Consequently, complications due to infections, pneumonia from aspiration, and a decrease in mobility may significantly shorten life.
How Fast Does Dementia Progress?
People typically inquire of one another, “How quickly does the dementia worsen?” The rate of change is often quite different from one patient to another.
For example, some patients may show little or no change for ten years, while others may develop obvious changes in just a couple of years.
Factors that can influence the progression of dementia may include:
- An underlying medical diagnosis
- Cardiovascular health status
- Presence of either diabetes or any other chronic condition.
- Access to regular and early neurological medical care.
Regular assessments from physicians provide an opportunity to change or adjust treatment and/or care strategies as symptoms change.
Can Dementia Be Treated?
Many people wonder if it’s possible to treat dementia. The answer is yes; while the majority of types of dementia cannot be cured, treatments can be used to slow the progression of symptoms and/or improve the daily functioning of a person with dementia.
Treatment options may include:
- Cognitive-enhancing medication
- Management of blood pressure and metabolic conditions
- Structured routines and cognitive therapy
- Physical activity and brain stimulation
- Caregiver support planning
Getting an early diagnosis and receiving individualized treatment can lead to significant improvements in a person’s lifespan with dementia as well as preventable complications.
When to Seek Professional Help
Medical evaluations for memory loss, confusion, changes in personality, or difficulties with everyday functions should occur as soon as possible. Neurological assessments conducted in a timely manner can clarify the condition, provide opportunities for timely treatment, and assist caregivers in planning. Seeking early dementia treatment in Dubai can help manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
Dr. Miguel Ley Nacher provides you with compassionate and thorough dementia evaluations with individualized treatment planning. His goal is to provide support and direction to patients and their families at the beginning, throughout, and at the end of their experience with dementia.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is dementia always fatal?
Ans – Dementia progresses over time; while early stages may not be life-threatening, it can lead to complications that may shorten your life expectancy.
Q2. Does early diagnosis of dementia improve life expectancy?
Ans – Yes, receiving an early diagnosis can help you manage your symptoms, minimize complications, and make decisions about your future, all of which could potentially extend your life expectancy.
Q3. How does treatment affect dementia progression?
Ans – Dementia cannot be cured with treatments; however, some treatments can help slow cognitive decline, relieve symptoms, and help people with dementia maintain their independence for a longer period of time.
Q4. Which doctor should treat dementia patients?
Ans – A neurologist or cognitive specialist should evaluate and manage dementia through comprehensive evaluations and long-term care planning.
Q5. When should families seek professional dementia care?
Ans – Families need to seek help when dementia symptoms begin to affect their loved one’s safety, independence, or ability to make decisions.
Conclusion
An EEG test, performed in Dubai, is a safe diagnostic procedure used to assess the function of the brain and diagnose different neurological conditions. Knowing how to prepare for an EEG test, the costs associated with it, and when a neurologist recommends it; it will help you to prepare for this procedure with confidence.
If you are experiencing neurological symptoms or have been advised to have an EEG test, Dr. Miguel Ley Nacher uses his expertise to evaluate your condition accurately, ensuring that you receive personalized neurological care and diagnosis.