The recent passing of a young dementia patient has touched hearts across the United Kingdom, following the revelation earlier this week.
Andre Yarham, a Norfolk resident, was believed to be the youngest person in the UK diagnosed with dementia before his death in December. At just 24 years old, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia around two years ago after his family observed noticeable changes in his behavior and personality.
Simon Wheeler, the Senior Knowledge Officer for Health at the Alzheimer’s Society, has emphasized that dementia symptoms in younger individuals might not always be immediately obvious. These individuals may overlook early symptoms, attributing them to stress or everyday pressures.
In an interview with the Express, Wheeler stated, “Younger individuals are more prone to experiencing atypical symptoms that aren’t immediately linked to dementia. These can include changes in behavior and personality, or challenges with language and vision. Additionally, they might face issues with movement, walking, coordination, or balance.”
He further noted that symptoms in younger people are often mistaken for other issues such as stress, depression, relationship struggles, work pressures, or even menopause.
Wheeler explained that while dementia symptoms can initially be mild, they progressively worsen over time. These symptoms may include memory problems, confusion, difficulty with everyday tasks, language issues, challenges in interpreting visual information, and shifts in mood and behavior.
Once these symptoms become severe enough to disrupt daily life, it is then classified as dementia. It is estimated that one in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia during their lifetime.
If dementia symptoms begin before the age of 65, this is referred to as young-onset dementia. Nearly 80,000 people in the UK are currently living with this condition.
The expert added: “Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a rarer type of dementia that mostly causes problems with thinking and language, as well as changes in mood.
“Personality and behaviour changes are key indicators. “FTD tends to affect people at a younger age than other types of dementia. Most people are diagnosed before they are 65 years old.”
The symptoms of FTD can vary greatly from person to person, as there are several different forms of FTD. The earliest symptoms can also differ significantly depending on which specific areas of the brain are affected.
Wheeler explained: “The first notable symptoms are either changes to thinking, behaviour and personality, or difficulties with using language. Some people can have both. “Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, the type of dementia most people are familiar with, a person’s memory of recent events tends not to be affected.
“If you’re worried about yourself, or someone close to you, then Alzheimer’s Society’s symptom checklist can help you start a conversation with a GP.”
The Alzheimer’s Society also operates a Dementia Support Line, which can be contacted on 0333 150 3456.
