Younger onset dementia refers to dementia developed before the age of 65. This comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips for caregivers.

1. Younger onset dementia (YOD)-
Challenges and Caregiver Tips

2. What is early onset dementia or YOD?
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• Younger onset
dementia, early onset
dementia and pre senile
dementia are all terms
that refer to dementia
developed before the
age of 65

3. Is YOD real?
• There is conflicting information about the
prevalence of young onset dementia
• Youngest known case- 27 years of age
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4. Diagnosis
Proper diagnosis includes
• Detailed medical history
• Complete psychological
and neurological
assessment
• Medical assessments
• Lab tests- Vitamin B12,
MRI, Pet Scan
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5. Possible causes
• Genetic factors
• Head Injury
• Stroke
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Death of brain cells
• Down’s syndrome
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6. How does YOD affect differently
The symptoms of
dementia are same but
there are some changes
that are more challenging
with YOD -
• Disengagement with
others
• Too young to fit into
aged care facilities
• Loss of sense of identity
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7. How does YOD affect differently
• Loss of friendships
• Fear and humiliation
attached to the
diagnosis
• Refusal of personal
care
• May be treated as a lie
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8. How their lifestyle is effected?
• More likely to still be working when
diagnosed
• Many will have significant financial
commitments
• They often have dependent children and
parents
• Their lives tend to be more active
• They have hopes, dreams and ambitions to
fulfill
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9. Caregiver tips
The life of the individual with
dementia needs to be made
easier, some tips for the
caregivers -
• Create a safe environment
• Establish a good routine
• Allow the individual to work
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10. Caregiver tips
• Provide physical and
mental exercises
• Allow the person to stay
socially engaged
• Minimize stress
• Proper medication
management
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