In the Doylestown area, much like other areas of Bucks and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it is becoming more common to see the dementia and Alzheimer’s in younger individuals.
Alzheimer’s disease is considered to be younger-onset Alzheimer’s if it affects a person under 65. Younger-onset can also be referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s. People with younger-onset Alzheimer’s can be in the early, middle or late stage of the disease.
After a younger-onset diagnosis, individuals can live meaningful and productive lives. You still have much to contribute to the world. Living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s may mean you will be dealing with some life changes sooner than you had expected.
The majority of people with younger-onset have sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of Alzheimer’s and is not attributed to genetics. Doctors do not understand why most cases of younger-onset Alzheimer’s appear at such a young age.
However, researchers know genetics play a role in Alzheimer’s. There are risk genes, which increase the likelihood of developing a disease, but do not guarantee it will happen. And there are deterministic genes that directly cause a disease, guaranteeing that anyone who inherits them will develop the disorder.
Like many people with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, receiving an accurate diagnosis may have been difficult. Age or medical history can cause doctors to overlook or rule out Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also not uncommon to be told your symptoms may be related to stress, menopause or depression. This can lead to misdiagnosis (sometimes multiple times) and incorrect treatment.
Learning about the unique challenges of living with younger-onset is the first step in understanding the impact the disease will have on you and your family. While this may be difficult for you at first, it can help relieve some of the anxieties and fears you may have about the future, and allow you more time to focus on the things that bring you joy.
While each family experiences the impact of younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease differently, there are common issues:
Your role as a parent
You may be one of the many people diagnosed with younger-onset who is raising a family. It can be painful to know that family dynamics will change. It is normal to grieve now about the anticipated changes in your parental role. It is also normal to wonder what role you will play in the significant events of your child’s life as he or she grows older and as the disease progresses. Remaining strong for your child can be difficult as you cope with your own emotions. The best way you can help your child work through the challenges of living with the disease is to take good care of your own physical and emotional needs.