stage: 5

Dementia in your 80s — the life expectancy picture that families actually need

For someone diagnosed with dementia in their 80s, average life expectancy from the point of diagnosis is typically in the range of 3 to 5 years, though there is considerable variation. People diagnosed at older ages tend to have shorter survival times partly because they are more likely to have other health conditions. The type of dementia also matters. Alzheimer's disease typically progresses more slowly than vascular dementia. These figures are averages and should be treated with caution. Some people live for much longer than expected, and families should focus on quality of life rather than attempting to predict timelines.