Once a patient is diagnosed, how long does he or she have to live?

Dear Lilymae, I have to respectfully ask if it might not be better to leave SIL where she is. If her expenses are taken care of and her needs are being met, perhaps this is the place she needs to be. There is no time frame for someone dying. Everyone is different in how their body handles diseases. The nursing staff where she is has been trained to recognize signs of needing end of life care, or Hospice, and they will let you know. My mom was in Hospice for only a week before she passed.

I think that is a different diagnosis than dementia Lilymae, although vascular dementia may figure in to it. I'm so sorry for your SIL and her family, it is tragic when people are struck down with debilitating illness when they are her age :(
You may want to do some google searches on vascular dementia and living after a debilitating stroke.

Freqflyer, she isn't my wife ,she is my sister in law. She is totally helpless, everything has to be done for her. she was working in a chemical place carrying a large gallon jar with liquid in it. she tripped over an electrical cord on the floor, she dropped the jar before she hit the floor .the glass broke and she cut her arm ,while in the hospital about a week later she had a stroke, so from there she was sent to a nursing home for therapy. she has been there for about 2 years now. she can speak a little now and is in a wheel chair but she needs 24 hour care and the home isn't set up for all her needs so she can't go home .she has a husband and 2 teenage daughters. the immediate family isn't willing to take the responcability to do what it takes to get her home.it is very upsetting to me. She lived at home with her family when it happened. he can't quit his job to be there all the time, financeully .what can a person do? thanks for asking. Thank you all for answering my questions ,Lily

Average for Alzheimer's is 8-10 years after diagnosis. My mom was diagnosed 8 years ago, but had been complaining to her doctor for 3 years prior. She is now stage 7.

lilymae, I see from your profile that your wife is living in a nursing home. Can you tell us what are her medical issues? What was the cause that had placed your wife in a skilled continuing care facility?

Where did you wife live prior? Was she with you? I assume it got to a point where you were no longer able to care for her, which is ok as we all have our physical and emotional limits. If you can tell us more, that would be most helpful.

It also depends on what condition they are in when they are diagnosed, for example my uncle has been advised he has mild cognitive impairment, which may never progress to dementia, but many people live in denial and don't seek help until they are already in the moderate or even severe stages. The overall health and age of the person at the time of diagnosis as well as the type of dementia must also be factored in.

It depends on the individual and how the deseases progress. I read where Dementia patients live 5 yrs maybe a little more. Alzheimer patients live longer.