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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Life Expectancy In A 7th Stage Alzheimer S Patient?

Hi, Dr. Grief.... My Father-in-law has Alzheimers Disease. I feel he is in the 7th stage. How do you know when the time comes? Just so confused, he s really pitiful, he can still walk, but knows no one and now has just about stopped eating. I take care of him and my Mother-in-law. I am all they have and I believe shes having difficulty too.
posted on Mon, 24 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 9 Aug 2017 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 10 Aug 2017 Last reviewed on
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on Healthcaremagic!
I understand your concern and would explain that there is not a specific time for this stage of the disease.
The prognosis is based on individual characteristics and comorbidities. If there is enough medical care, it may take some years up to death.
But if he stops eating the situation may aggravate in some months. For this reason, I recommend consulting with a psychiatrist to help his with his appetite and apathy. He may be at depression or hallucinations may be the reason why he has stopped eating. In such case an antidepressant or anti-psychotic could improve the situation.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Regards, Dr. Aida
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What Is The Life Expectancy In A 7th Stage Alzheimer S Patient?

Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on Healthcaremagic! I understand your concern and would explain that there is not a specific time for this stage of the disease. The prognosis is based on individual characteristics and comorbidities. If there is enough medical care, it may take some years up to death. But if he stops eating the situation may aggravate in some months. For this reason, I recommend consulting with a psychiatrist to help his with his appetite and apathy. He may be at depression or hallucinations may be the reason why he has stopped eating. In such case an antidepressant or anti-psychotic could improve the situation. Hope to have been helpful to you! Regards, Dr. Aida