Early Age Onset
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease, also called younger onset, dementia refers to symptoms in people under age 65. Warning signs of dementia in younger individuals could be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, but could also be related to stress, depression, frontotemporal dementia, inflammatory disease, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Early onset dementia is more likely to have a genetic cause than when the illness occurs at a later age.
Early Diagnosis is Important
Early diagnosis is based on changes in mood or behaviors, challenges with communication and challenges with activities of daily living. Your doctor may also do blood work and other tests to rule out other possible illnesses that may look like dementia.
Early diagnosis is important also because medications can improve the quality of life during early stages of the disease. Individuals will also be able to assist with future planning.
Early Onset dementia could also be diagnosed more specifically as Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy-Body Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, and other forms of dementia.
For more information about Early Age Onset Alzheimer’s, please call our Helpline at 888-280-6055
