you don’t

Dementia.

10things

know aboutYounger

Onset

Alzheimer’s Australia SA 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065 | 08 8372 2100

Teamtlc tender loving carers, is a volunteer group raising funds to support families of people living with a diagnosis of Younger Onset Dementia, by contributing towards Retreats, Wellbeing Days and Social Events.

8. What supports are available for peopleliving with Younger Onset Dementia andtheir families and carers?

The Australian Government has recently recognised the major impact of this disease and funded 40 key workers nationally to support people living with Younger Onset Dementia. Alzheimer’s Australia nationally provides a range of counselling and education programs which can also support families and individuals. The biggest challenge is age appropriate service provision in areas such as respite, community and residential care. These services are designed for frailer or older age groups and as such, younger people can feel out of place, or not have their needs met due to the service requirements. This challenge is also present in the disability sector and Alzheimer’s Australia is working to develop and support new and innovative programs individually tailored to meet the needs of younger people with dementia – this will require significant additional resources into the future as the number of people living with this disease grows.

9. How can we make sure people know aboutYounger Onset Dementia?

As consumers you can have a voice through your attendance at consumer and community groups. Target media and politicians and speak out on behalf of these consumers. Teamtlc is happy to speak with you and your communities about their experiences as carers of people living with Younger Onset Dementia.

10. How many people are living withYounger Onset Dementia?

It appears that more and more people are being diagnosed with this disease – conservative figures estimate that 25,100 of the 353,800 people living with dementia are under the age of 65, but there may be many more. Remember though that for most people living with Younger Onset Dementia there are families involved so the true impact is high.

1. What is Younger Onset Dementia?Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a person’s mental functioning, including loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions. Although most dementia affects people who are older, more and more people under the age of 65 are being diagnosed – even in their 30’s and 40’s.

2. How does dementia differ from Alzheimer’s disease?

It doesn’t really – Alzheimer’s disease is just one of over 100 different forms of dementia, however it is the most common. Younger Onset Dementia may be Alzheimer’s disease or it may be one of the other forms such as Vascular Dementia, Frontal Lobe Dementia or Lewy Body disease, or even a mixture of these. To learn more about different types of dementia go to the Alzheimer’s Australia website www.fightdementia.org.au

3. Who gets Younger Onset Dementia?Dementia doesn’t discriminate – anyone can develop this disease even under the age of 65. There are factors that increase your risk, such as family members who were diagnosed under 65, lifestyle factors (such as head injuries, diabetes, drug and alcohol abuse).

4. Am I at risk/can I reduce my risk of developing Younger Onset Dementia (or other forms of dementia)?

You are at an increased risk of dementia if you carry inherited genetic materials – and if you are concerned about hereditary risks speak with your GP. To reduce your risk of developing dementia, look after your brain, your heart and your body. Keeping your brain active builds brain cells and connections between cells, keeping your brain working efficiently and your mind sharp. Keeping your body and your heart healthy protects brain cells and the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients they need to function well. To learn more visit www.yourbrainmatters.org.au

5. How is Younger Onset Dementia diagnosed?Just like diagnosing any other dementia, diagnosing someone with dementia under the age of 65 takes time. It requires consultation with a GP and medical specialists (such as neurologists). The early signs of most dementia are subtle and vague and may not be immediately obvious. Common signs include; persistent memory loss, confusion, personality changes, apathy, withdrawal and loss of ability with everyday tasks. But remember, it is important not to assume someone has dementia just because some symptoms are present. A complete medical and psychological assessment may identify a treatable condition, and if not, then further assessments can be undertaken.

6. What do people living with Younger Onset Dementia and their families and carers need?

They and their families need support – in many forms. Education to be able to inform them of what will happen over time and what they need to put in place, counselling to deal with the impact of the change, respite as care needs change in the future and ultimately residential care may be necessary. Carers also need increased support – many face changed roles (husbands may become full time home carers, wives may take on roles they weren’t involved in previously – children will also become carers and face changed relationships). Your understanding and support, providing comfort, friendship and supporting programs like teamtlc is always much appreciated and will help support the quality of life for people with dementia their families and carers.

7. How does living with Younger Onset Dementia affect people?

People who have a diagnosis of Younger Onset Dementia face an interruption to their lives at a time where they may have young children, be active in the workforce and have a range of other responsibilities. The diagnosis will ultimately force a premature retirement for many and impact them financially and emotionally. For most, it is the change to their imagined future life with the impact of this terminal disease that has the greatest affect.

1. What is Younger Onset Dementia?Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a person’s mental functioning, including loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions. Although most dementia affects people who are older, more and more people under the age of 65 are being diagnosed – even in their 30’s and 40’s.

2. How does dementia differ from Alzheimer’s disease?

It doesn’t really – Alzheimer’s disease is just one of over 100 different forms of dementia, however it is the most common. Younger Onset Dementia may be Alzheimer’s disease or it may be one of the other forms such as Vascular Dementia, Frontal Lobe Dementia or Lewy Body disease, or even a mixture of these. To learn more about different types of dementia go to the Alzheimer’s Australia website www.fightdementia.org.au

3. Who gets Younger Onset Dementia?Dementia doesn’t discriminate – anyone can develop this disease even under the age of 65. There are factors that increase your risk, such as family members who were diagnosed under 65, lifestyle factors (such as head injuries, diabetes, drug and alcohol abuse).

4. Am I at risk/can I reduce my risk of developing Younger Onset Dementia (or other forms of dementia)?

You are at an increased risk of dementia if you carry inherited genetic materials – and if you are concerned about hereditary risks speak with your GP. To reduce your risk of developing dementia, look after your brain, your heart and your body. Keeping your brain active builds brain cells and connections between cells, keeping your brain working efficiently and your mind sharp. Keeping your body and your heart healthy protects brain cells and the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients they need to function well. To learn more visit www.yourbrainmatters.org.au

5. How is Younger Onset Dementia diagnosed?Just like diagnosing any other dementia, diagnosing someone with dementia under the age of 65 takes time. It requires consultation with a GP and medical specialists (such as neurologists). The early signs of most dementia are subtle and vague and may not be immediately obvious. Common signs include; persistent memory loss, confusion, personality changes, apathy, withdrawal and loss of ability with everyday tasks. But remember, it is important not to assume someone has dementia just because some symptoms are present. A complete medical and psychological assessment may identify a treatable condition, and if not, then further assessments can be undertaken.

6. What do people living with Younger Onset Dementia and their families and carers need?

They and their families need support – in many forms. Education to be able to inform them of what will happen over time and what they need to put in place, counselling to deal with the impact of the change, respite as care needs change in the future and ultimately residential care may be necessary. Carers also need increased support – many face changed roles (husbands may become full time home carers, wives may take on roles they weren’t involved in previously – children will also become carers and face changed relationships). Your understanding and support, providing comfort, friendship and supporting programs like teamtlc is always much appreciated and will help support the quality of life for people with dementia their families and carers.

7. How does living with Younger Onset Dementia affect people?

People who have a diagnosis of Younger Onset Dementia face an interruption to their lives at a time where they may have young children, be active in the workforce and have a range of other responsibilities. The diagnosis will ultimately force a premature retirement for many and impact them financially and emotionally. For most, it is the change to their imagined future life with the impact of this terminal disease that has the greatest affect.

you don’t

Dementia.

10things

know aboutYounger

Onset

Alzheimer’s Australia SA 27 Conyngham Street, Glenside SA 5065 | 08 8372 2100

Teamtlc tender loving carers, is a volunteer group raising funds to support families of people living with a diagnosis of Younger Onset Dementia, by contributing towards Retreats, Wellbeing Days and Social Events.

8. What supports are available for people living with Younger Onset Dementia and their families and carers?

The Australian Government has recently recognised the major impact of this disease and funded 40 key workers nationally to support people living with Younger Onset Dementia. Alzheimer’s Australia nationally provides a range of counselling and education programs which can also support families and individuals. The biggest challenge is age appropriate service provision in areas such as respite, community and residential care. These services are designed for frailer or older age groups and as such, younger people can feel out of place, or not have their needs met due to the service requirements. This challenge is also present in the disability sector and Alzheimer’s Australia is working to develop and support new and innovative programs individually tailored to meet the needs of younger people with dementia – this will require significant additional resources into the future as the number of people living with this disease grows.

9. How can we make sure people know about Younger Onset Dementia?

As consumers you can have a voice through your attendance at consumer and community groups. Target media and politicians and speak out on behalf of these consumers. Teamtlc is happy to speak with you and your communities about their experiences as carers of people living with Younger Onset Dementia.

10. How many people are living with Younger Onset Dementia?

It appears that more and more people are being diagnosed with this disease – conservative figures estimate that 25,100 of the 353,800 people living with dementia are under the age of 65, but there may be many more. Remember though that for most people living with Younger Onset Dementia there are families involved so the true impact is high.