Dementia reduces life expectancy by about 2 years for those diagnosed at age 85, 3 to 4 years for those diagnosed at 80, and up to 13 years with a diagnosis at 65, researchers reported in a study published Jan. 8 in The BMJ.

The average life expectancy figures from diagnosis varied from 2.2 years for men diagnosed in their mid-80s, to 8.9 years for women diagnosed around the age of 60. Such a broad range of outcomes could affect all kinds of decisions about life planning and future care.

Average life expectancy for patients with dementia ranges from 8.9 years after diagnosis at a mean age of 60 years for women to 2.2 years at a mean age of 85 years for men, according to a study published online Jan.

A new study has revealed that dementia reduced life expectancy by about two years for people with a diagnosis at age 85, 3-4 years with a diagnosis at age 80, and up to 13 years with a diagnosis at age 65.