Many people think dementia only affects older adults, but that’s not always true.
While most cases do happen in people over 65, a smaller group of people under 65 can also develop it.
This is called young-onset dementia, and it’s a serious condition that impacts thousands of people in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and early 60s.
Dementia is a word used to describe problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. It can make everyday tasks harder and change the way a person interacts with others. In the United States, about 200,000 people under the age of 65 are living with young-onset dementia.
The causes of young-onset dementia can be different from those in older adults. Genetics plays a bigger role. That means people may inherit changes in their genes that increase the risk of getting dementia at a younger age.
The most common types include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. In some cases, these conditions run in families.
Other risk factors include lifestyle habits, heart health, and serious head injuries. While older age is the biggest risk factor in late-onset dementia, young-onset dementia often happens because of a mix of genetic and environmental reasons.
The symptoms of young-onset dementia are similar to those seen in older adults. These include memory problems, confusion about time and place, trouble completing everyday tasks, and personality changes. But because these signs appear earlier in life, they can have a bigger impact. They may affect a person’s job, family life, and social relationships.
Diagnosing young-onset dementia can be hard. Doctors might mistake the symptoms for stress, depression, or other common conditions in younger people. This can delay diagnosis and the start of treatment. A proper diagnosis usually involves talking about medical history, doing memory and thinking tests, and using brain scans like MRI or CT.
Living with young-onset dementia is challenging not only for the person diagnosed but also for their loved ones. It can affect future plans, family roles, and finances. That’s why support services made especially for younger people with dementia are so important. These services can help with legal planning, managing money, and offering emotional support.
While there is no cure for dementia, treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Some medications may slow down memory loss. Therapy, support groups, and healthy lifestyle habits—like staying active, eating well, and keeping the brain engaged—can also help.
Young-onset dementia is a reminder that dementia doesn’t just affect the elderly. It can happen to younger people too. Raising awareness, getting an early diagnosis, and having access to the right support can make a big difference.
With the right help, people with young-onset dementia can continue to live meaningful lives—even if they need to make some changes along the way.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Common drug for constipation is linked to higher dementia risk and findings of Scientists find link between heartburn drugs and increased dementia risk.
For more about dementia, please read studies about Scientists find a drug related to Viagra may help treat vascular dementia and findings of link between body inflammation and dementia risk.
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