About the Alzheimer’s Life Expectancy Calculator
This calculator estimates the median number of years a person may live after an Alzheimer's diagnosis. It starts from the well-documented pattern that survival after diagnosis declines with age at diagnosis, then adjusts for sex, the disease stage at diagnosis, and overall health. The result is a population-level median, not a personal prognosis.
How the estimate is built
- Age at diagnosis is the strongest driver. The model anchors median survival at about 8.3 years for a diagnosis at age 65, declining to about 3.4 years by age 90.
- Sex adjusts the baseline modestly, since women tend to survive somewhat longer after diagnosis than men.
- Stage at diagnosis matters because an earlier, milder diagnosis leaves more time before the disease advances, while a later diagnosis shortens the remaining window.
- Overall health reflects that serious coexisting conditions shorten survival, while good general health lengthens it.
Putting the result in context
Individual survival varies enormously — reported figures commonly range from about 3 to 20 years. The typical-range output on this page is a reminder of that spread, not a statistical confidence interval. Two people with identical inputs can have very different outcomes depending on factors no calculator can capture.
When to consult a professional
This tool provides an estimate for planning and understanding only. It is not a diagnosis or a prognosis. For any question about an individual's condition, treatment, or expected course, consult a licensed physician who knows the full medical history.