Over 80 at time of diagnosis

ajzjmsmom · June 5

Has anyone had a LO who was diagnosed after 80 and if so do you feel like their age advanced the dementia timeline?

harshedbuzz · June 5

IME, no. In fact, those with Young Onset tend to progress more quickly than those 70+.

My dad showed signs around the age of 73 and died at 84. My nice aunt was diagnosed at 81 and died at 92.

That said old age might increase the likelihood of an exit ramp before dementia causes death. My friend's mom was diagnosed at 91 and died from breast cancer at 93. My mean aunt was diagnosed at 88 and progressed slowly until she broke a hip and went from stage 4 to 7 in an instant.

HB

H1235 · June 6

My mom was diagnosed with vascular dementia at 79. She has diabetes, thyroid issues, high blood pressure, edema, sleep apnea, high cholesterol kidney issues and has avoided anything close to a healthy diet and exercise for the last 30 years. I was told with vascular dementia things would progress in steps and that an average life expectancy was 4-5 years from diagnosis. I expected things would move rather quickly. She is three years in now and there has been little to no progression. I have been on edge wondering, worrying and trying to prepare myself for when she will take a step down. I have recently decided I need to stop fretting, she may be around another 5 years or more and I can’t live on edge like this any longer. Who knows, she may out live me or my sibling. Not having any kind of a timeline is very difficult.

SiberianIris · June 6

My mom was diagnosed at age 94. Prior to diagnosis, her memory issues were dismissed as old age. Here are my notes on her progression:

Diagnosed July 2023 - late stage 3

Oct 2023 -early stage 4

Jan 2025 - late stage 4

Feb 2025 - early stage 5 - age 96

July 2025 - late stage 5

Aug 2025 - early stage 6 - moved to memory care

June 2026 - still early stage 6 - age 97

[Deleted User] · June 6

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Emily 123 · June 6

My mom was probably having memory issues that we ascribed to age at about 88. She had let her levothyroxine prescription lapse which exacerbated things and led to our realizing it wasn't just age—that was in 2020 when she was 90—I'd say she was firmly in stage 4 and maybe dipping her toe into stage 5. She passed away at the end of April. Her progression was pretty consistent over time unless she had some acute process underlying things (covid, flu, UTI, broken hip).

GothicGremlin · June 6

My mother-in-law was diagnosed at age 87 three years ago. Today at almost 90, she's still around mid-stage 4. Her short term memory isn't great, but her word finding is just fine, conversation is fine, and general health is remarkably good.

My sister, on the other hand, was diagnosed with early onset just shy of her 59th birthday. Two years in I placed her in memory care. She passed away in 2024, 5 1/2 years after she was diagnosed.

dancsfo · June 6

Problems related to advanced age, such as UTI can cause delirium, which may be confused with accelerated dementia. I saw that in a relative, who already had dementia.

Maru · June 6

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/76220/over-80-at-time-of-diagnosis

My DH was diagnosed MCI at age 89. I guess him to be in stage 4, but still has more good days than bad. (Good days are when I don't see signs of ALZ, bad days are when they are obvious). I place him in Stage 4 because he has done a couple of one-offs that are definitely dementia behavior. It seems to be faster than what the DBAT guidelines.

Sunfish47 · June 6

My DH is 84 - diagnosed Alzheimer’s at age 82. I believe he was approx stage 4 at that time.
Prior to this, and starting at age 79, he was showing mild cognitive issues (aphasia, not remembering names of objects, getting lost while driving).
He is stage 5 now I think, progressing slowly but steadily. Doesnt know who we (family members) are, beginning urinary incontinence, aphasia worsening such that communication is very difficult, can’t follow directions or complete simple tasks, sees people that aren’t there, etc). Still thank God has a pleasant personality, some anxiety in the evening but no aggression.
So I estimate he’s progressing slowly.

Over 80 at time of diagnosis

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