Fact 2. Early Diagnosis Contributes to Improved Life Expectancy
An early diagnosis of dementia plays a vital role in the disease’s prognosis. The benefit of early detection is twofold – it provides an opportunity to slow down the disease’s progression and helps the individual and their caregivers to plan for the future.
When dementia is diagnosed in its initial stages, it allows for early intervention, and this can be instrumental in slowing down the disease’s progression. Some medications can help manage the symptoms and, in some cases, slow down the disease’s progression. This can lead to an improved quality of life, and in turn, extend the person’s life expectancy.
Moreover, early diagnosis provides individuals and their families an opportunity to make important decisions about future care and legal matters while the person with dementia can still actively participate. This can significantly reduce future stress and uncertainty, contributing to better mental health for everyone involved, which can indirectly influence life expectancy. (2)
