There is a stigma attached to Alzheimer's disease. It is often assumed that the degenerative brain disease only affects men and women over the age of 65.... senior citizens. This is not the case. Did you know that five percent of people living with Alzheimer's are under the age of 65? In fact, many of them are diagnosed in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. This is known as early onset Alzheimer's disease. The genetic mutation can be the result of a family history with the disease or simply the luck of the draw. A diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's can be especially difficult for patients to deal with, particularly when it comes at such a young age. In order to move forward, understanding the effects are essential.
The best way to deal with Alzheimer's - at any age - is to obtain a proper diagnosis. It is the only way a patient will be able to plan accordingly, take measures to slow down the progression of symptoms, and begin to deal with the emotional repercussions. This also gives family and friends the opportunity to offer their support. Until that diagnosis is made, it can be difficult for those with early onset Alzheimer's to cope. Without answers, they are left to wonder why they keep forgetting about appointments, don't remember conversations, or struggle to keep up with responsibilities at work. Once a diagnosis is made, there are answers at the very least.
Just like Alzheimer's disease in older adults, early onset is diagnosed in the same way. It involves exploring the patient's clinical history and using imaging techniques. Unfortunately, because of the age factor, it can often take a significant amount of time for younger men and women to receive a proper diagnosis. Often, their memory loss is contributed to a disease more commonly associated with that particular age group. This can be frustrating for all of those involved. After a diagnosis actually has been made, it can be a devastating and difficult time for patients. Suddenly, their future is uncertain.
Some doctors believe that early onset Alzheimer's progresses much faster than Alzheimer's that occurs in later life. How accurate this is remains to be seen. However, one thing is for sure: facing this disease in your 30s, 40s, and 50s poses a whole new set of problems. They include work and family life. In terms of work, at that age, patients will likely still have jobs and careers to think about. As the symptoms of the disease progress, it will become increasingly difficult to deal with work related tasks, presentations, and more. After a certain point, the patient will need to consider how to break the news to their boss - and when. This can lead to serious financial strain. In addition, there is family life to consider. There are often young children to care for. This can be more difficult when dealing with issues related to the disease.
There is no doubt that early onset Alzheimer's disease poses a number of problems. Not only can diagnosis be difficult to obtain but it can also affect the financial and familial security of patients. To move forward, it is important to understand what to expect, be as informed as possible, go to support groups, and take any and all steps to prevent symptoms from becoming unmanageable. Early onset Alzheimer's disease is a serious issue facing many men and women today. It is clear that more research needs to be done in order to deal with the disease as effectively as possible - one age group at a time.
Dr. David Tal has more than twenty years of clinical experience. He currently works at the Age Matters Clinic and strongly believes that medical treatment can improve the life of Alzheimer's and memory loss patients.
