This reflects times when blood clots interrupt the blood supply to the brain, causing damage. Because people with vascular dementia is linked to strokes, people affected often have other illnesses and may have worse general health. Research suggests that the average life expectancy is around four years.
However, sudden or severe deterioration can happen when there is a further stroke. Hallucinations, sleep disturbance, and movement problems can be an early feature in dementia with Lewy bodies, so that diagnosis may be made at an earlier stage. Some research suggests that survival can be significantly shorter with this challenging condition, however, the Alzheimer's Society says:.
How quickly the condition progresses and the life expectancy of a person with DLB vary a lot. On average someone might live for about six to 12 years after the first symptoms, similar to a person with Alzheimer's disease.
This leads to personality changes, impulsiveness and problems with speech and language. Although it can affect the elderly, it is often diagnosed in younger people, between forty-five and sixty-five.
The average life span is around eight years from the time when symptoms first started, but there can be dramatic differences between individuals. Distressingly, young-onset dementia appears to progress more quickly. Someone who is diagnosed with the condition between the ages of thirty and fifty may live for two years less than someone who is diagnosed later in life. Talking about death and dementia is difficult and distressing.
The statistics can seem scary. However, each individual is different. People can live well with dementia, and you can still look forward to times of joy and togetherness. Professional home carers can help to ease the burden for family carers, supporting your loved one to continue living in their own home in comfort and safety. One in five people with dementia experience…. Memory Disorders Center Meet a team of experts who focus on you and your condition.
Clinical Trials. MyHealth Login. Financial Assistance. Medical Records. Contact Us. Video Visits. Get a Second Opinion. Healthcare Professionals. Referring Physicians. Allied Healthcare. About Us. Make a Donation. In the case of vascular dementia, a doctor may prescribe medication to treat underlying cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Physiotherapy, speech therapy or occupational therapy may be offered to help with speech or movement problems. Non-drug treatments such as cognitive therapies may be available and can help some people with dementia to manage their symptoms.
Alzheimer's Society has more information on treatments for dementia. Dementia is progressive, which means it gets worse over time. The speed at which someone will get worse will depend on the type of dementia they have and who they are as an individual.
A person with later stage dementia often deteriorates slowly over many months. They gradually become more frail, and will need more help with everyday activities such as eating, dressing, washing and using the toilet. People may experience weight loss, as swallowing and chewing become more difficult. A person with later-stage dementia may also have symptoms that suggest they are close to death, but continue to live with these symptoms for many months.
This can make it difficult for the person and their family to plan for the end of life. It also makes it difficult for those supporting them professionally. It is difficult to know when a person with dementia is coming to the end of their life. However, there are some symptoms that may indicate the person is at the end of their life including:. If the person has another life limiting condition eg cancer , their condition is likely to worsen in a more predictable way.
When a person gets to within a few days or hours of dying, further changes are common. These include:. For more information, see our page , Signs that someone is in their last days or hours. Knowing the person will make it easier to provide person-centred care that is focused on what they need and want. It can help to know about their likes, dislikes and their wishes for how they want to be cared for. They may have these details recorded in their care plan.
People with dementia are at risk of receiving poor care because they are not able to say what they want. For example, a person with dementia may be in pain but unable to verbalise it — they may cry out or become restless instead.
This is an attempt to communicate a need but can often be dismissed because they have dementia. People with dementia often communicate their needs and feelings through non-verbal means — body language, gestures and facial expressions.
The following tips may help:. The most important thing is to engage with the person — talk to them, make use of the senses touch, music, smells and use what you know about them. People with dementia are at risk of pain but they may not be able to tell you they are in pain. Untreated pain can leave the person very distressed and uncomfortable. If you think the person is in pain there are things you can do that may help.
For more information, see pain management at the end of life , including how to assess pain in people who are non-communicative. The person may have lost their appetite or have difficulties swallowing safely. In the last days, the person may stop eating or drinking.
This can be very distressing to watch, but it is normal for people approaching the end of life. You should offer the person food and drink for as long as it is safe and they show an interest. You should find out if the person has an advance care plan. It may include an advance statement or an advance decision. We have information on planning ahead for patients and their families, which you might find useful.
You can make use of any advance care plans or documents, friends and family input and your knowledge of the person. The person might enjoy things that stimulate their senses, such as familiar music or aromas such as lavender and hand massages.
Some people may specify where they want to die in an advance statement or through conversations with family and friends or in their advance care plan. Keep any family or friends informed about what is happening in a gentle, sensitive and supportive way. This will help reassure them that the person is getting the care they need. It can also help to give them an opportunity to talk about what is happening. Supporting people with dementia at the end of their life requires a team approach.
Good communication and information sharing helps to ensure the person receives the care they need. There may be certain professionals who can advise on specific issues. These may include a GP, district nurses, social workers, other care staff and specialists. Rules of thumb for end of life care for people with dementia. UCL covid decision aid - a tool to s upport carers of people living with dementia to make difficult decisions during covid Alzheimer Scotland — specialist services for patients and carers.
Dementia UK — expert one-on-one advice and support to families living with dementia via Admiral Nurses.
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