Researchers find Alzheimer's Threat Persistent Regardless of Age; Average Survival Confirmed as 6 Years

According to an article published in McKnight's Long Term Care News, first-ever studies are bringing new revelations about Alzheimer's Disease.  The studies were released as the Alzheimer's Association hosts its 2018 International Conference in Chicago. Among the findings: Dementia survival time is short, regardless of the age at onset.

Aiming to better understand survival times of those diagnosed at a relatively young age, Amsterdam researchers poured over data for some 4,500 early-onset dementia patients in one memory clinic. They found that median survival time, across all age groups, was six years, hardly different from those older than 65.

These findings suggest that, despite all efforts and despite being younger and perhaps physically "‘healthier" than older people, survival time in people with young-onset dementia is not greater and  has not improved since 2000

Another study, of dementia data from 11 countries tied to more than 4,100 ages 95-110 found that prevalence of the disease increased with age in all societies.  On the other hand, though, the risk for dementia and cognitive impairment varied “significantly” from country to country, “suggesting cultural and lifestyle factors play a role in remaining physically and cognitively health with age.  Those with higher levels of education, for one, expressed a lower prevalence of dementia than those with fewer years of education.

In yet another study, researchers from the University of California-San Francisco announced this week that the dementia rate of lesbian, gay and bisexual older adults was about 7.4%, compared to about 10% for the general population, according to study results. It was the first dementia prevalence data from a large population of LGB older adults and examined data from some 3,700 such individuals over age 60. 

The association also announced on Sunday that it is establishing the first-ever Dementia Care Provider Roundtable, as a means to gather thought leaders from across the U.S. to find ways to better treat the disease.  The group, which consists of key players in the skilled nursing and assisted living fields, Genesis HealthCare and HCR Manor Care among them, will meet for the first time Thursday, the last day of the five-day conference.