News Brief

“I can’t keep doing this,” says the weary adult child caregiver of an Alzheimer’s patient. “How long will this go on?”

On average, a new study published in the British Medical Journal said is 4.5 years. “Significant factors that predicted mortality in the presence of dementia during the follow-up included sex, age of onset, and disability,” the study said.

A younger, healthier dementia patient will live longer than an older, frail one.

When a family must confront all of the questions and issues that arise from a diagnosis of dementia, it can turn into an instantly overwhelming situation. Likely, there have been scares before the diagnosis is made, which takes a toll on everyone involved, too. This study is of use to families and caregivers alike.

Citation: The British Medical Journal, January 10, 2008
doi:10.1136/bmj.39433.616678.25