Early onset dementia in under 50.

[Jazzicatz]

My beautiful best friend has recently been diagnosed with early onset dementia. She is only 46 and they think she has shown symptoms for around 10 years. She currently finds it difficult to speak and really is deteriorating quite quickly. Does anyone else have any experience of early onset and can offer any advice/support?

I'm sorry to hear this, it's very hard.

https://www.youngdementianetwork.org/ - there are some bits of info here. Dementia UK also has a consultant Admiral Nurse for young dementia who you can speak to.

https://www.raredementiasupport.org/ - many younger people have rarer types of dementia, so here is good too.

YOD, like any dementia is always going to vary between people but one of the particular challenges is it often progresses more quickly.

Thank you so much for this information. I will have a proper read through. @VerityUnreasonble

I’m so sorry. It must be bloody awful to have your BF develop this

Thank you and yes, it’s truly awful. She is so young and her life is just being stripped from her. I do appreciate your message.

Yes all of that is being stripped from her but your friendship and future is being robbed from you too. I can’t comprehend how hard it must be be to lose your BF and they always say that Dementia is double grief, you lost the person you love long before they die.

i hope you’ve got an alternative support system in place