From the Guidelines

Schizophrenia diagnosed after 30 years of age cannot be completely treated in most cases.

The majority of patients, approximately 70%, require long-term, even lifetime, medication to control their symptoms and do not achieve complete recovery 1.
Antipsychotics are the primary pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia, but they may not markedly improve negative symptoms or cognitive defects, and at least 20% of individuals with schizophrenia do not experience a substantial response from monotherapy with antipsychotics 1.
Antipsychotic polypharmacy may be considered for patients who do not respond to monotherapy, but it can cause more side effects and should be used with caution 1.
The American Psychiatric Association recommends a person-centered treatment plan that includes evidence-based nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia 1.
Early treatment is crucial, as time is cognition, and delays in treatment can lead to poorer outcomes 1.
While some patients may experience significant improvement with treatment, complete recovery is not typically achievable for most patients with schizophrenia, regardless of the age of diagnosis 1.

From the Research

Schizophrenia can be diagnosed at any age, including after 30 years of age 2, 3.
The treatment of schizophrenia typically involves a combination of antipsychotic medications and psychosocial interventions 2, 3.
Roughly half of schizophrenia patients can recover or significantly improve over the long term, suggesting that functional remission is possible 2.

The age of onset of schizophrenia can affect treatment outcomes, with some studies suggesting that earlier onset is associated with a poorer prognosis 4.
However, other studies have found that early detection and specialized treatment can improve long-term functional outcomes in people with early-onset schizophrenia, as well as those with adult-onset schizophrenia 4.
Late-onset schizophrenia, which is diagnosed after the age of 30, may have a different treatment outcome than early-onset schizophrenia, with some studies suggesting that it may be associated with a better prognosis 5, 6.

Treatment approaches for late-onset schizophrenia may need to take into account the individual's age, medical comorbidity, and social functioning 5, 6.
Novel non-pharmacological treatment strategies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and social skills training, may be effective in addressing the specific needs of older adults with schizophrenia 6.
A comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions may be necessary to achieve optimal outcomes in individuals with late-onset schizophrenia 2, 6.