YOUNG-ONSET ALZHEIMER'S
What is it?
First discovered in 1906, Early-onset Alzheimer’s, also known as Young-Onset Alzheimer’s, is a rare form of Alzheimer’s that attacks the young, those under the age of 65. It’s rare for Young-Onset Alzheimer’s to develop in people who are between 30 and 50 years of age and women are more than twice as likely to develop it, than men.
Most families facing Young-Onset Alzheimer’s still have children at home and are active in the workforce, unlike most of our elder peers who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s later in life.
Those diagnosed with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s are too young to qualify for traditional programs and resources, nor are those programs designed to meet their unique needs of support.
7 STAGES OF YOUNG-ONSET ALZHEIMER'S
No Impairment
During this stage, Young-Onset Alzheimer’s is not detectable and no memory problems or other symptoms of dementia are evident.
Very Mild Decline
Minor memory problems and losing things around the house.
The person will still do well on memory tests and the disease is unlikely to be detected by loved ones or physicians.
Mild Decline
At this stage, the family members and friends of the senior may begin to notice cognitive problems. Performance on memory tests are affected and physicians will be able to detect impaired cognitive function.
People in stage 3 will have difficulty in many areas including:
Finding the right word during conversations
Organizing and planning
Remembering names of new acquaintances
People with stage three Younger-onset Alzheimer’s may also frequently lose personal possessions, including valuables.
Moderate Decline
In stage four of Young-Onset Alzheimer’s, clear-cut symptoms of the disease are apparent.
People with stage four of Young-Onset Alzheimer’s:
Have difficulty with simple arithmetic
Have poor short-term memory (may not recall what they ate for breakfast, for example)
Inability to manage finance and pay bills
May forget details about their life histories
Moderately Severe Decline
During the fifth stage of Young-Onset Alzheimer’s, people begin to need help with many day-to-day activities. People in stage five of the disease may experience:
Difficulty dressing appropriately
Inability to recall simple details about themselves such as their own phone number
Significant confusion
On the other hand, people in stage five maintain functionality. They typically can still bathe and toilet independently. They also usually still know their family members and some detail about their personal histories, especially their childhood and youth.
Severe Decline
People with the sixth stage of Young-Onset Alzheimer’s need constant supervision and frequently require professional care.
Symptoms include:
Confusion or unawareness of environment and surroundings
Inability to recognize faces except for the closest friends and relatives
Inability to remember most details of personal history
Loss of bladder and bowel control
Major personality changes and potential behavior problems
The need for assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing
Wandering
Very Severe Decline
Stage seven is the final stage of Young-Onset Alzheimer’s.
Because the disease is a terminal illness, people in stage seven are nearing death
In stage seven of the disease, people lose the ability to communicate or respond to their environment
While they may still be able to utter words and phrases, they have no insight into their condition and need assistance with all activities of daily living
In the final stages of Younger-onset Alzheimer’s people may lose their ability to swallow
Symptoms include:
Confusion or unawareness of environment and surroundings
Inability to recognize faces except for the closest friends and relatives
Inability to remember most details of personal history
Loss of bladder and bowel control
Major personality changes and potential behavior problems
The need for assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing
Wandering
