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Alzheimer's
With Mayo Clinic health education outreach coordinator Angela Lunde
Early-onset Alzheimer's: There is help
Recently, there has been some discussion about early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Having early-onset Alzheimer's disease means that symptoms develop before the age of 65. Of all the people with Alzheimer's disease, only 5 percent to 10 percent develop symptoms before age 65.
Early-onset Alzheimer's has been known to develop between ages 30 and 40, but that's exceedingly rare. It is more common to see someone in their 50s who has the disease. I have had the opportunity to meet many individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's disease and their care partners. Their stories are different than those who have symptoms in their 70, 80 and 90's.
Often persons with early-onset Alzheimer's disease are actively in the work force at the time of their diagnosis, in fact, it is often 'on the job' where clues surface that something is wrong. Those impacted with early Alzheimer's disease and their care partners may experience financial challenges, changes in their relationship, as well as isolation from friends and activities. They may still have children living at home and face an uncertain future.
Yet, for those recently diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, there is life after a diagnosis! With a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's there is now some peace of mind in knowing the cause of the changes in thinking and performance.
There are medications that can slow the progression, information is available from groups such as the Alzheimer's Association (check out Safe Return) and there are support groups across the country for persons with the disease and their care partners.
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Dear Beth and others,
I am a speech and language pathologist. I have worked with geriatric population with Alzheimer's,but have limited experience with early onset(only with two who were considered young). I am becoming more informed and involved as my sister-in-law was diagnosed a year ago with Early onset Alzheimer's and she is 52 years old. She had been having symptoms for a few years before being diagnosed. Unfortunately, symptoms have worsened significantly,and she is not able to be left alone at this point. For long term planning,I have found out that if you or your loved one is legally recognized as being "disabled", after 24 months as disabled, the person will qualify for early Medicare Benefits, which may be extremely helpful, especially in later stages.
Also, keeping busy and being "mentally " active is key to maintaining skills. Cross word puzzles, word searches, brain teasers etc keep the brain stimulated. I use a lot of word games and activities to maintain word finding skills and coherent sentences. Using electronic organizers to help remember appointments etc is recommended.I also put together picture communication books as people often loose their ability to communicate verbally, but may still be able to point to key words, phrases etc to get across messages. I put together picture albums using pictures provided by family members. I'm running out of space so I need to end this post.I'll keep posting any info I find and will try to answ
I too have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's at 45. It's very stressful and I feel like everyone looks at me in a different way. I get anxious and paranoid that people know that I'm a bit "daft" and yet I can drive a car, bathe, and at work I have no problems.
I think that my husband sees me in a different way, worse, and maybe that he's scared. I try not to think negatively but I feel alone a lot. I also have Celiacs Disease, I can't eat wheat and foods with gluten which I think brought on the memory loss.
I also have been to a neurologist and had many tests, EEG, lots of blood work...
I don't know what to do next. I'm getting a second opinion because I want to know. I'm too young to be old and feeble!
Hi I am a 45 yr old female. Also an RN I am very scared. About 3 or 4 yrs ago I started with short term memory problems, word changing, and going blank when someone was talking to me. I had a full nuro workup and the MD with tears in eys stated I had Alzheimers. well of course I didn't beleive him and didn't go back. I am female and 45 yrs old. Symptoms get worse when I am tired or stressed. After a couple of years not working I finally tried going back to work. I did fine for a while then symptoms came back and became worse. I have talked to my MD and they dismiss it as stess, fibromyalgia ect. Some days are worse then others I can no longer work. I just wonder if the Md was right or is it just stess fibro. The MD make comments that I am to young for Alzhiemers but it dosen't look like it here.
One should question every diagnosis. Statin drug side effects (memory loss & muscle/joint pain) can be diagnosed as various diseases. More info: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_04/b4068052092994.htm?chan=search
Just received my Dx. yesterday, feeling lost and afraid. Have not told my grown children or other family members... I am 58 yrs. old, have been widowed for 6 yrs., have a cute country home in N. Texas, work part time, and wondering how I will avoid the things that will be changing the quality of my everyday life.. I thank God for my strength and hope that I can keep that spirit intact for most of this journey. Feeling very frightened today... God luck and God Bless to us all...
My loved one was diagnosed with EOAD before Christmas 2007, although I believe symptoms were evident prior to that time. She is now 61 years old. In addition to the many short term memory lapses, some symptoms include inability to play simple children's games (go fish, uno), agitation/depression, trouble remembering to eat items in front of her and trouble taking medication properly. She can still take care of hygiene and carry on a fairly normal conversation. Based on what I have read, I suspect she is somewhere between stages 3and 4 of Alzheimer's. My question is - does anyone have an idea of how much time we have before she enters the stages of not being able to care of herself / incontinence, etc? I am trying to think about long term planning and this info. would be most helpful. Any input is appreciated.
My husband's uncle was diagnosed 2 years ago. Well, sort of diagnosed. It is so correct that doctors do not like to diagnose EOAD....they just call it unspecified dementia. He is 60, will be 61 in August. His girlfriend of 2 years, same age, called us recently and said she can't "do this" anymore. We are so upset. We can't take him in, as I am disabled and my husband works full time. There is no one to care for him, and we have no idea what to do. He is advanced enough that he can not live alone, but not so much as to be a candidate for a nursing home. Is there anything out there for this type of situation? He lost his job and has a very small pension, no savings and a rental property he has to sell so he can pay off debt. SSDI has denied him and the appeal is taking forever. What do we do? Where can he go? He is 1500 miles away from us and he doesn't want to come back to his hometown. Does anyone know of an assisted living type of place where he can be covered by social services? Anywhere? We are at our wits end. Any help/advice would be so much appreciated. Thank you. Margaret
Maybe, just maybe there is a little help for "normal" alzheimer's but you all must know EOAD is very very different. Thank you Charlene for sharing your story. FINALLY I don't feel like the only one. My husband was diagnosed Oct of '07. He first went thru a bad week then leveled off for a few weeks, then came another drop for a week followed by another leveling off. For the past 4-6 weeks hes stayed in his progression and it's coming on FAST. Neither Aricept nor Namenda helped at all. He has now begun a very fast progression with Parkinson's, a common "side affect" of EOAD. At first the doctors said 4-5 years but each time I speak with the doctor he shortens his expectations (now we are down to approx. 9-12 months. My husband is just WAY ahead of the "normal schedule". Every case is a bit different obviously but I have found it incredibly difficult to find ANY info on Early Onset. In the 3 stage method he has completed stage 2 and just begun symptoms of stage 3. I now know generally WHAT to expect but I still have no idea WHEN. Any further info on when he may become immobile from either the EOAD or the Parkinson's would be greatly appreciated.
My husband was diagnosed with EOAD at age 55. I have read everything online about it. That is not what I wanted to comment on though. Has anyone else read "Still Alice". It is a fiction novel, but it is so on the money for my husband. I wanted him to read it because he says that no one understands what it is like. You can get a real good idea of what they are feeling by this book. I may be behind and everyone already knows of it. jm29
For Kenj,
Sorry to not post anything for a couple of weeks but I finally left the house and went to see my Grand daughters. Ken you said #2 was your questions "keep her happy". I have a couple of questions? Do she still talk and respond to music and the TV? I know that sounds simple but we never ever let the house go quite. We kept musice on that she enjoyed over the years. We put on the TV on shows she watched. She was very active politically and liked Fox News. We also made eating and drinking easy for her. We got rid of the glass and cups and went to a plastic drink bootle. We found the best way to feed her was with baby spoons and bottles used by resturants that squirt ketchup. You can find them at any kitchen store. Also, put her in depends sooner than later. It will make your and her life a lot easier in the long run. Dress her in loose fitting clothes like sweat pants and large tee shirts that are easy to get on and off. But a rasied seat for the bath room so it is easy to sit her down and it will not strain her. Do not try and put shoes on her keep in in socks. Take up all throw rugs so she does not fall. I am running out of space let me know if this helps.
NosnarfU9
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