BETTER UNDERSTANDING DEMEMTIA with Ruth Thomas from EnlivenPlus

Often people think dementia is an older person's condition and they are surprised to learn it can affect people as young as 30, 40 or 55 years old.

When someone is diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65 they are said to have ‘young-onset' dementia. In New Zealand, just more than one-tenth of all those diagnosed with dementia are younger
than 65.

Young-onset dementia is different to ‘early' dementia. ‘Early' describes the beginning stage of a person's journey with dementia, while ‘young' means under-65-years-old.

Those with young-onset are often overlooked simply due to their age. Their needs can be quite different, but unfortunately they usually have to fit into older adult services. This is not right or fair.

Quality of life, and living their best life, are still high on their priority list, but so is suddenly having to manage with one less income, or juggling looking after children and coping with a condition of the brain.

As with older-onset dementia, life does not stop simply because you have a diagnosis. Instead, it can generate a great desire to live life to the full, have fun, reach goals, and not worry about the small stuff.

Give me a call if you want more information about young-onset dementia.

Ruth Thomas, lead specialist care manager, EnlivenPlus, phone 07-547 4349. EnlivenPlus provides specialist dementia care for as little
as $60.