People diagnosed with dementia now live longer than they did two decades ago. This information comes from a new multinational study led by researchers at the University of Waterloo.
Analyzing data from over 1.2 million people aged 60 and above, the study spanned eight global regions from 2000 to 2018. It found that five regions—including Ontario—showed a notable decline in mortality risk following a dementia diagnosis.
PROGRESS IN DIAGNOSIS AND CARE LINKED TO LONGER LIVES
Lead researcher Dr. Hao Luo, assistant professor in the School of Public Health Sciences, attributes improved survival rates to advancements in dementia diagnosis, care, and treatment.
“These trends suggest significant real-world impacts of national dementia strategies, better access to care, and evolving treatments,” said Luo. “People are now living longer with dementia than in the early 2000s.” The study underscores the benefits of early detection, targeted therapies, and psychosocial interventions that adapt to individual patient needs.
REGIONAL VARIATIONS HIGHLIGHT POLICY IMPACT
Among the eight studied regions, five showed improvements in patient outcomes. These regions are Ontario, United Kingdom, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Finland, Germany, and New Zealand.
However, New Zealand presented a different trend: mortality risk increased between 2014 and 2018. Researchers believe this is tied to a national shift in dementia care, moving responsibility from specialists to primary care providers. “With this change, patients may be diagnosed at a more advanced stage when they first reach hospital care, leading to higher mortality rates,” Luo explained.
Findings from Finland and Germany were inconclusive, but researchers noted that both countries have evolving dementia strategies that may influence future outcomes.
A STEP FORWARD FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES, AND HEALTH SYSTEMS
Understanding how long individuals live after a dementia diagnosis is vital for everyone involved—patients, families, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
“It helps families make better care decisions, assists clinicians in improving care strategies, and allows governments to estimate the true burden of dementia on health systems,” Luo said.
Regions showing consistent mortality reductions represent 84% of all study participants, reinforcing the importance of national dementia strategies already implemented in places like Canada, the UK, South Korea, and Taiwan.
NEXT STEPS: EXPLORING COMORBIDITIES AND DEMENTIA OUTCOMES
The study did not account for comorbid conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, which could impact dementia survival. Luo says her future research will focus on understanding how these overlapping health conditions influence life expectancy.
“To standardize data across countries, we had to leave out comorbidities,” Luo said. “That’s something I aim to examine more closely going forward.”
A POSITIVE TREND, WITH ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
This research offers a hopeful outlook: with improved care, diagnosis, and policy support, dementia is becoming a manageable chronic condition rather than an immediate terminal diagnosis.
Still, the need remains to close care gaps, ensure early detection, and expand national dementia strategies—especially in countries like New Zealand where outcomes are declining.
With further research into comorbidities and continued investment in dementia care, more people could live longer, healthier lives after diagnosis.
