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Dementia
Alzheimer's

How Long Can You Live with Dementia?

Kim Trevey on Oct 23, 2022
How Long Can One Live with Dementia? - Infographic - Bader House Georgetown

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Table of Contents
  1. Share this Infographic Image On Your Site
  2. Life Expectancy with Dementia
  3. What affects your life expectancy with dementia?
  4. What is the life expectancy for different types of dementia?
  5. What to do if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia

Life Expectancy with Dementia

The life expectancy for someone living with dementia greatly varies depending on the person and his or her individual case. Because dementia in and of itself is not a disease but rather the name for a group of symptoms caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, you can’t attach a one-size-fits-all life expectancy to it.

Similar to cancer, there are many types of dementia, many types of people who are diagnosed with it and, therefore, many paths the disease can take. Some live for only a couple of years after their diagnosis. Some live for 20 years or more.

While you can’t stamp a specific life expectancy on dementia, you can look at factors that affect life expectancy for those living with dementia, which includes preexisting health conditions and the type of dementia someone has.

What affects your life expectancy with dementia?

A number of factors affect someone’s life expectancy who is living with dementia, including:

1. What type of dementia you have

We get into this more below, but every type of dementia has a slightly different average life expectancy. This is because each type affects the brain and body differently. Some types of dementia allow you to live longer while others progress more quickly.

2. Pre-existing health conditions

If someone is diagnosed with dementia who already has diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, he will have a lower life expectancy because these other illnesses can affect the progression of dementia or Alzheimer’s and put him at higher risk for other medical complications.

3. Age

Because older adults (age 65 and above) are more likely to have other preexisting conditions, their life expectancy is lower than someone who is diagnosed at a younger age and has better general health.

(The exception to this would be with frontotemporal dementia, which I explain below.)

4. Gender

Some research suggests women may live longer than men with dementia.

5. Stage of disease at time of diagnosis

Someone who is at a more advanced stage of dementia at the time she is diagnosed will have a shorter life expectancy than someone who is diagnosed in the earlier stages of dementia.

What is the life expectancy for different types of dementia?

1. Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's Disease Progression

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It’s caused by abnormal proteins in the brain that cause damage to the cells affecting cognitive and physical functions.

The life expectancy for someone with Alzheimer’s disease is eight to 12 years from the time of diagnosis, though people have lived up to 26 years after their diagnosis.

The earlier you are diagnosed, the longer your life expectancy is. However, most people with Alzheimer’s are not diagnosed until the mild dementia stage when symptoms have become more apparent.

2. Vascular dementia

Vascular Dementia - How Long Can One Live with Dementia? - Infographic - Bader House Georgetown

Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, usually caused by a stroke, a series of ministrokes or another heart condition. Vascular dementia often accompanies Alzheimer’s disease, or what’s known as “mixed dementia.”

Only 5-10% of vascular dementia cases are only vascular dementia. Most cases are mixed dementia.

The life expectancy for someone with vascular dementia is four years. This is lower than Alzheimer’s because someone with vascular dementia is at risk of having another stroke or heart attack.

3. Lewy body dementia

Lewy Body - Dementia

Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal deposits of protein in the brain, known as Lewy bodies. This type of dementia can affect a person’s movements, making her more susceptible to falls, which can greatly affect an older adult’s overall health. Because of this, the life expectancy for someone with Lewy body dementia is about six years.

4. Frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) covers any type of dementia that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which are the areas of the brain associated with personality, language and behavior. The average life expectancy for someone with this type of dementia is about eight years.

However, frontotemporal dementia is often diagnosed in younger people and the disease actually progresses more quickly if you receive a diagnosis at a younger age.

Some people with FTD are also diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). If this is the case, their life expectancy is shorter, about two to three years after diagnosis.

What to do if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia

It’s understandable that if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia your first question would be about life expectancy. And while resources like this article can be helpful, we must further emphasize that life expectancies greatly vary. Talk to your doctor or neurologist to get a better picture of your diagnosis and how to live with the best quality of life possible.

In addition, getting your affairs in order as early as possible is critical when dealing with a dementia diagnosis. Talk to a lawyer or legal advisor about setting up a Power of Attorney and Advance Directive to make sure everyone in your family knows who is responsible for what and to ensure your or your loved one’s finances are in order.

Finally, consider talking to a counselor. This can be especially helpful for those living with dementia in the early stages. This can also be helpful for caregivers and family members. To learn more about how to find a therapist who specializes in dementia care, visit the Alzheimer’s Association here.

While the life expectancy for dementia varies, one fact is true for everyone living with dementia: research continues to make advancements in medication, prevention and care for those with dementia or for those who are at risk for developing dementia.

So while there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia, there is hope.

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Bader House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

Bader House Memory Care Plano
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