Saturday, March 16, 2024
HomeWhat Age Do You Get Dementia

What Age Do You Get Dementia

What Are The Symptoms Of Early

early onset dementia

For most people with early-onset Alzheimer disease, the symptoms closely mirror those of other forms of Alzheimer disease.

Early symptoms:

  • Withdrawal from work and social situations

  • Changes in mood and personality

Later symptoms:

  • Severe mood swings and behavior changes

  • Deepening confusion about time, place, and life events

  • Suspicions about friends, family, or caregivers

  • Trouble;speaking, swallowing, or walking

  • Severe memory loss

Could Avoiding Early Retirement Protect Your Brain As You Age

To mark World Alzheimers Day, we look at the potential benefits of staying in the workforce for longer

The working from home revolution that came as a side effect of the pandemic attracted both support and resistance. Many workers felt relieved to cut out the hours and money theyd spent commuting to the office, while others worried about the loss of networking opportunities and career progression.

But in the pluses column there appears to be an often-overlooked result of the increase in flexibility: the greater likelihood of older workers postponing their retirement. According to the Office for National Statistics , those in their late 50s and early 60s are increasingly considering delaying retirement plans as a result of being able to work from home during the Covid crisis. A recent survey found 11 per cent of over-50s who were working entirely from home planned to retire late, compared with five per cent of those going into work. Improved work-life balance and wellbeing were cited.;

Previous research has also shown the importance of flexible working options in enabling older workers to remain in the labour market. All of this led the ONS to suggest last month that the shift towards working from home may help enable older workers to remain in the labour market for longer.

Our study suggests that there may be a fortuitous unintended consequence of postponed retirement, said research scientist Angelo Lorenti.;

How Common Is Dementia In Adults Under 65

Dementia can affect people as young as 30, although this is extremely rare. Most younger people with dementia are middle aged: in their 50s and early 60s. The term young onset dementia, or ‘early onset dementia’, or ‘working life dementia’ refers to people diagnosed with dementia under the age of 65.

You cant have dementia, youre too young.

A GP quoted in an Alzheimers Society report

In 2010 there were thought to be 64,037 people under 65 with dementia in the UK compared with just 16,737 in 1998. The majority of those affected in this younger age group 70 per cent are men. Younger people with dementia make up 8 per cent of the total number of people with dementia .

The chances of developing dementia before 65 are relatively small. Men aged between 30 and 59 have a 0.16 per cent chance; for women it is 0.09 per cent. The chances increase slightly once a person reaches 60. Men aged between 60 and 64 have a 1.58 per cent chance of developing dementia; for women it is 0.47 per cent. The chances of developing dementia are highest for people between 90 and 94 .

Also Check: How To Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living

What Are The Causes Of Young

The causes of young-onset dementia are similar to the diseases that usually cause dementia in older people. However, some causes, such as frontotemporal dementia , are more common in younger people. Dementia in younger people often has different symptoms, even when its caused by the same diseases as in older people.There is more information about some common causes of dementia, and how they can affect younger people, below.

What Is The Clock Test For Dementia

Nine things that can affect whether you get dementia  and ...

The clock test is a non-verbal screening tool that may be used as part of the assessment for dementia, Alzheimers, and other neurological problems. The clock test screens for cognitive impairment. The individual being screened is asked to draw a clock with the hour and minute hands pointing to a specific time. Research has shown that six potential errors in the clock testthe wrong time, no hands, missing numbers, number substitutions, repetition, and refusalcould be indicative of dementia.

Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Senility

Common Types Of Dementia In Younger People

  • Alzheimer’s disease;is the most common form of dementia in younger people, accounting for around a third of young people with dementia.
  • Vascular dementia;is the second most common form of dementia in young people. ;Around 20% of young people with dementia have vascular dementia.
  • Around 12% of young people with dementia have;frontotemporal dementia. ;It most commonly occurs between the ages of 45-65. ;In about 40% of cases there is a family history of the condition.
  • Korsakoff’s syndrome;- around 10% of dementias in young people are caused by a lack of vitamin B1 , most commonly associated with alcohol abuse.
  • Around 10% of young people with dementia have dementia with;Lewy bodies.
  • Around 20% of young people with dementia have a ‘rarer’ form of the condition. ;Examples include conditions that can lead to dementia including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and Creutzfeld Jakob disease.

John took the first step himself and went to his GP.; His doctor told him he needed to use his brain more.; John had recently completed his Masters degree!

– Liz, supporting her brother John, with FTD

What Medications Are Available To Treat Dementia

Drugs approved for the most common form of dementia, Alzheimers disease, are discussed below. These drugs are also used to treat people with some of the other forms of dementia.

  • cholinesterase inhibitors
  • NMDA receptor antagonist memantine

These two classes of drugs affect different chemical processes in the brain. Both classes have been shown to provide some benefit in improving or stabilizing memory function in some patients. Although none of these drugs appear to stop the progression of the underlying disease, they may slow it down.

If other medical conditions are causing dementia or co-exist with dementia, the appropriate drugs used to treat those specific conditions are prescribed.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Senility

Life Expectancy Of Dogs With Dementia

Since canine cognitive dysfunction is a degenerative process that occurs in a dogs senior years, similar to Alzheimers in humans, life expectancy can be a tricky prognosis to make.

If a dog is otherwise healthy, then the dementia will eventually diminish your dogs quality of life, but there has not been a specific timeframe established.

The best way to monitor your dogs health and cognitive functioning is to work with your veterinarian and track your dogs quality of life. This will help you determine when your dog is letting you know its time.

Can Dementia Suddenly Get Worse

What is life like for someone with Frontotemporal Dementia?

The progression of dementia depends on the underlying disease. Some diseases have a rapid progression. Others progress more slowly. Any sudden change with either slow or rapid progression should be evaluated for another cause. In most cases, changes with dementia may seem like they came out of the blue when they actually may have been slowly developing in the background. The best way to prepare for changes and manage expectations is through information. Your doctor and medical team will be a valuable resource. There are a variety of educational resources that are also available through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Senility

Word Finding And Communication

Communication difficulties are often a common warning sign for dementia sufferers, but it can be more difficult to notice this trend if Dad is a bit soft-spoken or a man of few words. You may have to look a bit harder to notice a change, but if Dad cannot find the word for a common thing, or if he seems unable to keep up with conversation around him, bring it up at the next doctor appointment. This change could indicate dementia, or a hearing loss issue; either problem should be addressed.

Social And Economic Impact

Dementia has significant social and economic implications in terms of direct medical and social care costs, and the costs of informal care. In 2015, the total global societal cost of dementia was estimated to be US$ 818 billion, equivalent to 1.1% of global gross domestic product . The total cost as a proportion of GDP varied from 0.2% in low- and middle-income countries to 1.4% in high-income countries.

Recommended Reading: Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Care For Dementia

Is Dementia A Mental Illness

Dementia is a mental health disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association changed the name to Major Neurocognitive Disorder, which is a mouthful. The change was made in order to provide a clearer description of the problem. Whats most important to know is that dementias can involve changes to emotions, behaviors, perceptions, and movements in addition to memory and thinking.

What Is Dementia Symptoms Types And Diagnosis

Help & Care Guide for Dealing with Dementia Patients

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning thinking, remembering, and reasoning to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living.

Dementia is more common as people grow older but it is not a normal part of aging. Many people live into their 90s and beyond without any signs of dementia.

There are several different forms of dementia, including Alzheimers disease. A persons symptoms can vary depending on the type.

Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Senility

Symptoms Of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between normal age-related cognitive changes and the more serious symptoms that indicate dementia.

MCI can involve problems with memory, language, thinking, and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes, but the line between MCI and normal memory problems is not always a clear one. The difference is often one of degrees. For example, its normal as you age to have some problems remembering the names of people. However, its not normal to forget the names of your close family and friends and then still be unable to recall them after a period of time.

If you have mild cognitive impairment, you and your family or close friends will likely be aware of the decline in your memory or mental function. But, unlike people with full-blown dementia, you are still able to function in your daily life without relying on others.

While many people with MCI eventually develop Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia, that doesnt mean its inevitable. Some people with MCI plateau at a relatively mild stage of decline while others even return to normal. The course is difficult to predict, but in general, the greater the degree of memory impairment, the greater your risk of developing dementia some time in the future.

How Common Is Dementia

Research shows there are more than 850,000 people in the UK who have dementia. One in;14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, and the condition affects 1 in 6 people over 80.

The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than 1 million.

Further information:

Also Check: Senile Vs Dementia

The Stigma Of Young Onset Dementia

Because dementia is so strongly associated with older people, younger people can feel extra stigma and discrimination. A younger person may not be believed when they say they have been diagnosed with dementia. This attitude can add to a persons problems. For example, one woman with dementia reported being laughed at when she told others she had dementia . Another woman with dementia who talks to medical students about her condition as part of their training says, The first barrier you meet is that people dont believe that you can have dementia if you can still function. To others, these women seemed too young and too well to have dementia, and so they did not get the courtesy and respect they deserved. Later, a younger person may feel and look out of place in a care home where most other people are in their 80s and 90s.

Terry Pratchett talks about the stigma of a dementia diagnosis in a video from the Alzheimers Society.

Compensating For Memory Loss

What is dementia? Alzheimer’s Research UK

The same practices that contribute to healthy aging and physical vitality also contribute to a healthy memory. So, by taking steps early to prevent cognitive decline, youll also be improving all other aspects of your life as well.

Stay social. People who arent socially engaged with family and friends are at higher risk for memory problems than people who have strong social ties. Quality face-to-face social interaction can greatly reduce stress and is powerful medicine for the brain, so schedule time with friends, join a book club, or visit the local senior center. And be sure to put your phone away and focus fully on the people youre with if you want the full brain benefit.

Stop smoking. Smoking heightens the risk of vascular disorders that can cause stroke and constrict arteries that deliver oxygen to the brain. When you quit smoking, the brain quickly benefits from improved circulation.

Manage stress. Cortisol, the stress hormone, damages the brain over time and can lead to memory problems. But even before that happens, stress or anxiety can cause memory difficulties in the moment. When youre stressed out or anxious, youre more likely to suffer memory lapses and have trouble learning or concentrating. But simple stress management techniques can minimize these harmful effects.

Walking: An easy way to fight memory loss

Read Also: Does Alzheimer Disease Run In The Family

Symptoms Of Dementia In Senior/ Ageing Cats

Your cat may have some or most of these symptoms if he or she is suffering from dementia.

  • Confusion or disorientation

According to an article in the Telegraph newspaper By Laura Donnelly, Health Correspondent

Conditions like Alzheimers are becoming increasingly common and now affect one million felines.

Vets have reported seeing an increase of cases but fear that many owners do not pick up on the symptoms because they do not associate the condition with their pets.

As in humans, dementia leaves the animals confused and distressed. The progressive condition, caused by degeneration of the brain, can cause them to get lost more often or become reclusive.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh now believe half of all cats over the age of 15 and a quarter aged 11 to 14, are suffering from geriatric onset behavioural problems.

Dr Danielle Gunn-Moore, professor of feline medicine at the university, said: When we look at cats of all ages, we believe about 10 per cent will be affected, which represents about one million cats in Britain.

Difficulty Completing Normal Tasks

A subtle shift in the ability to complete normal tasks may indicate that someone has early dementia. This usually starts with difficulty doing more complex tasks like balancing a checkbook or playing games that have a lot of rules.

Along with the struggle to complete familiar tasks, they may struggle to learn how to do new things or follow new routines.

You May Like: What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Senility

Is Dementia Treatable

First, its important to understand the difference in the terms treatable, reversible, and curable. All or almost all forms of dementia are treatable, in that medication and supportive measures are available to help manage symptoms in patients with dementia. However, most types of dementia remain incurable or irreversible and treatment results in only modest benefits.

Some dementias disorders, however, may be successfully treated, with patient returning to normal after treatment. These dementias are ones caused by:

  • Side effects of medications or illicit drugs; alcohol
  • Tumors that can be removed
  • Subdural hematoma, a buildup of blood beneath the outer covering of the brain that is caused by a head injury
  • Normal pressure hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain
  • Metabolic disorders, such as a vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Hypothyroidism, a condition that results from low levels of thyroid hormones
  • Hypoglycemia, a condition that results from low blood sugar
  • Depression

Dementias that are not reversible, but may still be at least partially responsive to medications currently available for memory loss or behavior-based problems include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Dementias associated with Parkinson’s disease and similar disorders
  • AIDS dementia complex
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Stage : Mild Dementia

Is there anything you can do to prevent dementia?

At this stage, individuals may start to become socially withdrawn and show changes in personality and mood. Denial of symptoms as a defense mechanism is commonly seen in stage 4. Behaviors to look for include:

  • Difficulty remembering things about one’s personal history
  • Disorientation
  • Difficulty recognizing faces and people

In stage 4 dementia, individuals have no trouble recognizing familiar faces or traveling to familiar locations. However, patients in this stage will often avoid challenging situations in order to hide symptoms or prevent stress or anxiety.

Recommended Reading: Does Meredith Have Alzheimer’s

Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by the build-up of tiny protein;deposits in the brain. DLB is less common in younger people;with dementia than in older people. Lewy bodies also cause Parkinsons disease and about one-third of people with Parkinsons eventually develop dementia.Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies can include hallucinations and varying levels of alertness. People can also develop the features of Parkinsons disease .

What is dementia with Lewy bodies?

Find out more about dementia with Lewy bodies, diagnosis and how to treat it.;

Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia Symptoms

My dad seems to be tired all the time lately how do I know the difference between age-related changes and dementia symptoms?

Sleep disruption is common with regards to both age-related sleep patterns and signs of early onset dementia so it can be tricky to work out whats going on. But if you look out for accompanying symptoms specific to dementia you may be able to tell the difference. If you suspect it is more than just sleepiness make an appointment with your parents GP.For more information on how dementia symptoms can affect sleep please read our article on dementia and sleep.

What do I do if I think my mum or dad has dementia?

The GP should be the first point of call if you suspect your parent is suffering from signs of early onset dementia. ;If the doctor suspects your parent has dementia they will refer them to a memory clinic or specialist. For further details on the process please visit our guide on diagnosing dementia.

How does the dementia diagnosis process work?How are dementia symptoms treated?

Unfortunately, dementia cant be cured but it can be slowed down significantly, especially if diagnosed earlier on. For more details on drugs used, visit our guide on dementia treatment.

Read Also: How To Move A Parent With Dementia To Assisted Living

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular