Mild Cognitive Impairment Life Expectancy: How It Differs Across Patients

In this article, we will be looking at mild cognitive impairment’s life expectancy, its progression rate to dementia, and factors that help prolong survival. We will also learn about the ages at which MCI is prevalent and how it differs across patients.
MCI-lady-holding-tablets

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Life Expectancy

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when there is a decline in one’s mental abilities, which is an early stage of neurodegenerative issues such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and vascular dementia. Around 10–20% of those ages 65 and above suffer from MCI and it increases with age.

The impact on the life expectancy of those with MCI who lived with and without dementia is more favorable in the general population. A study conducted found that those who had MCI had the same life expectancy as those who did not have MCI.

40Hz and Dementia - what does the research say?

Find a collection of published academic research papers from OptoCeutics and others.

Does Mild Cognitive Impairment Progress To Dementia Affect Life Expectancy?

The progression from MCI to defection and its impact on life expectancy is still a topic of debate. Some studies have indicated that the rate of progression from MCI to dementia would range from 5 to 20% a year. Some clinical studies showed that the rate of MCI to dementia was around 10 percent per year.

The progression from MCI to dementia shortens a person’s life expectancy, according to the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality. Another study said the mortality risk for those who developed dementia from MCI was shorter than that of those who remained the same.

Factors Affecting Life Expectancy In Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients

There are a few key factors affecting life expectancy in patients with mild cognitive impairment. These factors are:
  • Older patients have shorter life expectancy compared to younger patients
  • Women (4.6 years) have a longer life expectancy compared to men (4.1 years) with MCI.
  • People who do not have a good health status tend to have shorter life expectancies.
  • People who are more cognitively impaired have a shorter life span.
  • Subtypes of MCI, such as amnestic or non-amnestic, may influence life expectancy.
  • Patients with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension tend to have a shorter lifespan.
When adjusting for covariates such as age, gender, and health status, it is seen that women with MCI tend to outlive men by 0.5 years on average. Patients who are frail and have a more severe cognitive impairment tend to have a shorter life expectancy even after adjustments to covariates.

Join families who have found relief with EVY LIGHT®

Click below to see how EVY LIGHT® is helping others

What Is The Life Expectancy With And Without Dementia For MCI Patients

The life expectancy with and without dementia for MCI patients has been studied using community-based settings to gather more information on the prognosis of MCI. Consider the summary of community-based studies. The Rotterdam study highlighted that a community-dwelling of 648 with MCI and 6410 without MCI showed that the total life expectancy for MCI patients ranged from 21.5 years at age 60 to 2.6 years at age 95.

A group health study of 3605 members showed that those who were 65 and older had a life expectancy with dementia of 4.5. However, those without dementia showed a life expectancy of 12.5 years.

A comparison with the general population shows that the average life expectancy of those with Alzheimer’s disease is 4–8 years. Another study showed the life expectancy of women with mild impairment to be 4.2 years and dementia to be 3.2 years. For men, they were expected to live 3.5 years with mild impairment and 1.8 years with dementia.

Lifestyle Modifications To Improve Life Expectancy In MCI Patients

Lifestyle medication is crucial to improving life expectancy in MCI patients. Below are a few medications that may be able to assist:
  • A healthy Mediterranean diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Physical exercise such as walking, swimming, and yoga may help to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. A minimum of 30 minutes a day may bring a lot of benefits.
  • Staying socially active and connected with people can help build cognitive research.
  • Managing chronic stress by meditating and doing deep breathing can help with stress levels.
  • Having at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night helps reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
  • Work on mentally stimulating activities like reading and learning new skills to build cognitive reserve.

Diet And Nutrition

Diet and nutrition play an important role in supporting cognitive health and they may help patients who suffer from MCI. Here are some guidelines and diets that may benefit MCI patients:
  • The Mediterranean diet has a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; moderate consumption of dairy and poultry; low consumption of red and processed foods; and high consumption of healthy fats like olive oil.
  • The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is an eating plan that helps to support cognitive health. It requires high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; low sodium and saturated fats; moderate low-fat dairy and lean meat; and high potassium-rich foods like bananas.
  • The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is a mix of the above two dietary plans. It focuses on 10 brain-healthy food groups to partake in and 5 unhealthy food groups to avoid.
  • Low-carbohydrate diets, such as ketogenic diet, focus on high consumption of fat and protein and low amounts of carbohydrate
  • Omega 3 fatty acids like salmon and sardines, flax seeds, walnuts and other nuts
  • Vitamin B6, B9, and B12 and related foods such as spinach and kale
  • Antioxidants such as berries, dark chocolate and green tea
  • Drink 8 cups of water a day
  • Get 7-9 hours of sleep a day
  • Have 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day.

Physical Activity

Physical activity plays an important role in maintaining cognitive function in those with MCI. It has been shown to improve executive functioning, memory, and processing speed and be linked to a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

The following physical exercise is recommended for MCI patients:

Protect the Moments That Matter

Supporting cognitive health for a brighter tomorrow.

Buy Now

What Is The Life Expectancy After A Dementia Diagnosis?

The life expectancy after a dementia diagnosis varies greatly depending on the type of dementia, age of diagnosis, and overall health of the individual. On average, people with dementia may live around 4-5 years after diagnosis, but some may live up to 20 years or more.

There are three main stages of dementia and each of these stages has a life expectancy:
  • Each stage of dementia lasts around 2–4 years, and life expectancy is around 10 years or more.
  • Middle-stage dementia lasts around 2–5 years and has a life expectancy of 4-6 years after diagnosis.
  • Late-stage dementia lasts around 1-2 years and life expectancy is 1-2 years after diagnosis.
There are a few factors that affect life expectancy, such as the type of dementia, whether it is vascular, Alzheimer’s, or Lewy body. Type of diagnosis and overall health, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle also plays a factor if the person socializes and has a positive outlook.

How Long Does Dementia Typically Last?

The average dementia duration depends on dementia type and other individual factors. Some sources state that the average person with dementia may live around 4-8 years. However, there have been cases of people living as long as 20 years after diagnosis.

There are a few factors affecting the type of dementia. They are:
  • Types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, etc.
  • The age at which a person with dementia was diagnosed depends on how young or old they are.
  • Overall health and medical conditions can also affect dementia life expectancy.
  • The effectiveness of the patient’s treatment can impact the duration of their lifespan.

Dementia's Impact On Life Expectancy After MCI

Dementia can affect life expectancy after MCI, so it is important that patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers understand the survival rates. You will also need to know when to call hospice for dementia.

Studies conducted in Norway have showcased the relationship between dementia and life expectancy. It stated that those who were diagnosed with dementia from MCI faced a reduced life expectancy. This study has factored in age, gender, and health conditions.

Excess mortality rate ratios (EMRR) are used to identify the increased risk of mortality that is tied to a specific condition compared to the general population. When it comes to dementia, EMRR highlights that those with dementia are more likely to die than those without dementia.

Can Dementia Stages Predict Life Expectancy After Progression From MCI?

The progression of MCI to dementia is a complex process and various factors influence life expectancy. Here is a breakdown of life experiences at different dementia stages and these life stages are after diagnosis.
  • Early stage (MCI) has a life expectancy of around 2–5 years, and some have lived up to 10 years.
  • Middle stage has a life expectancy of 4-8 years and some have lived up to 12 years or more
  • Late stages have a life expectancy of 2–5 years but some have lived more than 10 years.
Early diagnosis and stage reconstitution affect survival rates because early treatment can improve survival rates and slow progression. It is important to understand the progression of the diseases so that healthcare providers can come up with a personalized plan and manage the symptoms and factors such as life expectancy. Dementia type plays an important role in life expectancy. The compounded presence of cancer and other cardiovascular diseases influences life expectancy.
MCI-couple-looking-at-gadget

Global Statistics On The Influence Of Dementia On Life Expectancy

The global consensus states that dementia is expected to triple by 2050, bringing the number of cases to 152 million. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that dementia costs around USD1.3 trillion, including informal care and support.

The life expectancy of individuals with dementia around the globe varies. Different types of dementia have their own survival rates. A study stated that among dementia etiologies, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) had a better survival rate compared to vascular dementia (VaD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB/PDD).

Is EVY LIGHT for me or a loved one?

Take the 2-min

Frequently Asked Questions About Mild Cognitive Impairment Life Expectancy

What Does Mild Cognitive Impairment Life Expectancy Mean?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) life expectancy refers to the average remaining lifespan of individuals diagnosed with MCI. It is influenced by various factors like age, overall health, and whether MCI progresses to dementia, with research suggesting a more favorable prognosis in the general population compared to clinical settings.

Dementia can affect life expectancy after MCI, so it is important that patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers understand the survival rates. Studies conducted in Norway have showcased the relationship between dementia and life expectancy. It stated that those who were diagnosed with dementia from MCI faced a reduced life expectancy. This study has factored in age, gender, and health conditions.
1000 550 Christopher Ravn

Enter your email to get 10% off your first purchase

OC logo gold

Get exclusive content straight from the scientists who are rooting for you and your brain.

    Be the first to know about new developments from your favorite products
    Optoceutics logo word mark blue

    EVY LIGHT ® Is Your Ultimate Brain
    Wellness Device

    Comfortable Daily Use, Drug Free to Promote Focus, Clarity, and Mental Sharpness.

    OC logo gold

    Get exclusive content straight from the scientists who are rooting for you and your brain.

      Be the first to know about new developments from your favorite products
      Privacy Preferences

      When you visit our website, it may store information through your browser from specific services, usually in the form of cookies. Here you can change your Privacy preferences. It is worth noting that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our website and the services we are able to offer.

      Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking code.
      Click to enable/disable Google Fonts.
      Click to enable/disable Google Maps.
      Click to enable/disable video embeds.
      Our website uses cookies, mainly from 3rd party services. Define your Privacy Preferences and/or agree to our use of cookies.