Getting a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering what comes next. How long do people live with Alzheimer’s? What should you prepare for? What can you do to help a loved one feel supported?

In this article, we’ll discuss what to expect after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. We’ll cover the different stages of the disease, which factors can affect life expectancy, and why Alzheimer’s disease eventually leads to death. Understanding the path ahead can help family members and loved ones feel more confident and prepared for the changes to come.

How Long Can Someone Live With Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that gradually damages memory and thinking skills. Over time, it affects a person’s ability to carry out even simple tasks. It’s the most common cause of dementia — a general term for memory loss and other cognitive (thinking) abilities that interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s isn’t considered a normal part of aging. However, increasing age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

The average life expectancy for a person with Alzheimer’s aged 65 or older is about three to 11 years after diagnosis. However, it’s important to know that averages can’t determine what will happen to any one person. Some people may live as long as 20 years or more with the disease.

Risk Factors That Affect Life Expectancy

Life expectancy and prognosis (outlook) after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis depend on various factors. These include health, age, gender, education, and social and economic factors. Some people may live longer with Alzheimer’s because they are in better health or were diagnosed earlier. Others may live a shorter time due to age at diagnosis or other health conditions. We’ll break down some of the most important factors that can play a role.

Age at Diagnosis

In general, people who are diagnosed younger tend to live longer with Alzheimer’s, potentially because they often have fewer other health issues. For example, someone diagnosed in their 60s may live for another decade or more. People diagnosed in their 80s or 90s often don’t live as long because they are more physically fragile or have other health problems related to aging.

Those diagnosed in their 70s live about seven years after diagnosis. For people diagnosed in their 90s, the average survival is about 2.8 years.

Gender

Women tend to live longer than men in general, and this trend also applies to those living with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Research Disease Foundation, on average, women with Alzheimer’s live about 1.5 years longer than men. Researchers don’t know exactly why this happens, and the reasons for this difference are still being investigated. However, they think biological and social differences may be involved. For example, women are more likely to see a doctor early and follow their care plan.

Genetics

Certain genes can raise a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s. They may also influence how the disease progresses. One of the most significant and best-studied examples is the APOE4 gene. APOE4 affects how the brain clears out amyloid, a protein that builds up in Alzheimer’s disease. Having one or two copies of this gene increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. While APOE4 doesn’t guarantee someone will get Alzheimer’s disease, it may lead to earlier symptoms and faster progression. If you’re interested in genetic testing for Alzheimer’s, talk to your healthcare team.

Early Detection and Diagnosis

The earlier Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, the sooner care can begin. Early diagnosis allows families to plan ahead and manage other health conditions. Lifestyle changes — such as healthy eating, regular physical activity, and social engagements — are geared toward improving quality of life. However, they may indirectly improve life expectancy by improving overall health.

Socioeconomic Status and Access to Care

A person’s socioeconomic status, which includes things like their income level, education level, and access to quality healthcare, can affect how they live with Alzheimer’s. People with lower socioeconomic status are also more likely to develop dementia overall. When someone has access to regular medical care, healthy food, safe housing, and social or job support, they often do better. But people with fewer resources may struggle to get the care they need, which can lead to a faster decline.

Overall Health and Other Medical Conditions

Other health conditions — called comorbidities — can also affect how long someone lives with Alzheimer’s. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke can increase the risk of complications and death. This is partly because these comorbidities make it harder for the body to recover from infections or injuries. People with multiple long-term diseases may progress more quickly.

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the symptoms get worse over time. Doctors use different systems to describe this process. Some break it into three stages (early, middle, and late). Others use five stages or even seven stages, such as the FAST scale or the Global Deterioration Scale. No matter which scale is used, the goal is the same: to understand how the disease progresses and how to plan for care at each stage.

Although doctors use different staging systems to understand how Alzheimer's typically progresses, each person’s experience can be different, and the transitions may not be simple or clear-cut. Still, they provide a useful road map for families and caregivers to help them know what to expect.

Early Stage

In the early stage of Alzheimer's, people are still able to live and function independently. They may drive, work, and take part in social events. However, they may notice some memory lapses, like forgetting people’s names or where they placed household objects. They might have trouble remembering recent conversations, or they may repeat questions or statements. Symptoms in the early stage include:

• Misplacing items more than usual
• Having trouble coming up with the right words
• Forgetting appointments or events
• Struggling with planning or organization

This is the stage where family members start to notice that something is “off.” This is also the best time to make legal, financial, and end-of-life care decisions, so the person with Alzheimer’s can still be part of the decision-making. It's important to note that having some of these early symptoms doesn't always mean someone has Alzheimer's, since memory changes can happen for many reasons. But if the problems continue, it’s a good idea to see a doctor.

Middle Stage

The middle stage is often the longest and can last for years. As the brain continues to change, memory problems get worse, and new symptoms appear. People in this stage may:

• Confuse family members or forget personal history
• Need help with daily activities, like choosing clothes, bathing, or using the bathroom
• Have trouble with time, location, or season
• Act in unusual ways, such as becoming suspicious or wandering away

Sleep problems and behavior changes — such as feeling anxious or easily frustrated — may also develop. At this point, most people will need daily help with tasks and staying safe, usually from family members or caregivers.

Late Stage

In the final stage, Alzheimer’s affects nearly every part of a person’s ability to function, and most people need full-time care. People with late-stage Alzheimer’s may:

• Lose the ability to speak or make their needs known
• No longer recognize loved ones
• Be unable to sit, walk, or hold up their head without help
• Need full help with eating, moving around, and personal care

At this stage, swallowing may become difficult, increasing the risk of choking. Muscle stiffness, joint contractures (permanent tightening of muscles or joints), and incontinence (loss of urinary or bowel control) often occur. Caregivers can prepare for the late stage by exploring full-time support options and planning for hospice when appropriate.

Even though communication is limited, comfort and emotional connection — through music, gentle touch, or familiar voices — can still offer moments of peace and recognition.

Causes of Death in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. In many cases, death is not caused directly by Alzheimer’s but by the complications it leads to as the body and brain get weaker.

A common cause of death is aspiration pneumonia, which can happen when someone inhales food or liquids into their lungs. Infections such as urinary tract infections and sepsis (blood infection) are also common, especially when the immune system is weak. Falls also become more dangerous in the late stage because of poor balance, frailty, and slower healing. Malnutrition is also a serious risk, as people may forget to eat or lose the ability to chew and swallow.

Alzheimer’s is a journey that is different for each person. Some people may live for years after their diagnosis, while others get worse more quickly. It can bring growing challenges for the person with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. But with the right support, people living with Alzheimer’s can still have moments of joy, love, and connection.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, the social network for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their loved ones, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with Alzheimer’s disease.

Are you a caregiver for a person living with Alzheimer’s disease? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.