Dealing with Signs of Early Onset Dementia in a Loved One

More than fifty-five million people globally have dementia, with more than ten million new cases diagnosed annually. Early onset dementia refers to people being affected who are under sixty-five years old. Dementia is not a single disease but is instead an umbrella term given to a range of symptoms that impact a person’s memory and ability to think, process information, and communicate with others.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia but is not the only one. Vascular dementia is the second most common cause, and there are other diseases including dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia has the highest rate of early onset dementia in people younger than sixty-five, with most cases diagnosed in people between the ages of forty-five and sixty-five.

Signs and symptoms of early onset dementia

While it is more difficult for an individual to become aware of early onset dementia in themselves, the signs may be more apparent to a loved one, such as a spouse or a child. Dementia gives rise to different symptoms in people, and they are experienced uniquely, but some common behaviors might sound warning bells.

These common signs of dementia include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, difficulties in performing everyday tasks (such as computer work or making a familiar recipe), finding the right words during conversation, a sense of confusion about place and time, and personality changes or mood swings.

If you notice these changes in yourself or someone close, they will typically be very mild in the beginning, and either stay the same as a type of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or worsen. It is important to take note of the symptoms seen and track them over a short period before consulting with a doctor concerning them.

The most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease include memory problems (forgetting recently acquired information, names, and faces), repeating questions or stories (more so than what would be deemed normal repetition), struggling with activities that require organization or planning, confusion in an unfamiliar environment, difficulty in retrieving the correct word, and becoming withdrawn or anxious.

The symptoms of vascular dementia are similar to those of Alzheimer’s, although memory loss is less severe in the early stages and can develop gradually over months or years, and they can also sometimes develop suddenly and worsen quickly. Symptoms specific to vascular dementia include stroke-like symptoms.

For example, symptoms may include muscle weakness or temporary paralysis on one side, movement problems, thinking difficulties (related to attention, planning, or reasoning), and mood changes (depression or emotional outbursts).

In individuals experiencing early-onset dementia with Lewy bodies, many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s are apparent. They may also exhibit periods of alertness or sleepiness, fluctuations in the level of confusion, visual hallucinations, slowed-down body movements, falls and fainting episodes, and sleep disorders.

Early symptoms of frontotemporal dementia may include personality changes (typically a reduced sensitivity to other people’s feelings), social inappropriateness, language issues, and obsessive behavior.

Treating symptoms

Through a range of cognitive tests, and perhaps certain imaging tests such as MRIs and CT scans of the brain, a healthcare specialist will be able to diagnose exactly what type of early onset dementia you or a loved one are facing. The brain images will show much damage has been done to brain tissue to assess the stage of dementia and its progression.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for dementia. Early identification and diagnosis are important for developing a helpful treatment plan for the patient as well as informing family members about what to expect.

Medicines are available to help people maintain their mental function, control their behavior to a certain extent, and slow the advancement of the disease. These drugs are called donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine. While reports on their success are varied, they have been known to offer an improved state and some benefits.

Other treatments that can assist include regular physical activity, cardiovascular and diabetes treatments, antioxidants, and cognitive treatment. Much investment is being made into research on the disease, and it is hoped that the future will bring more effective treatment options.

Preventative measures

In a 2017 article in the monthly peer-reviewed medical journal JAMA Neurology, published by the American Medical Association, the authors looked at data from 15,744 people from all over the U.S. to see the relationship between

smoking, diabetes, and elevated blood pressure and the chance of developing dementia over twenty-five years.

People with high blood pressure in middle age increased their risk of having dementia over the next twenty-five years by 40%. In the case of diabetes, the risk went up by 80%. That’s almost as much of an increased risk as having a genetic vulnerability for Alzheimer’s disease.

This means that lifestyle choices and a healthy approach in one’s forties can make a significant difference in combatting early-onset dementia. Preventative measures to speak to put in place include controlling high blood pressure, addressing diabetes, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking if applicable, and getting more physical activity. It is never too soon to address vascular health and potentially prevent dementia, and it’s important to discuss this with your doctor.

Dealing with the reality of early-onset dementia

Dealing with the medical side of an early-onset dementia diagnosis is one thing, but the emotional impact of this new reality is something entirely different. At the beginning stages, an individual is aware of how this incurable disease is stealing their abilities and memories, and this can be incredibly frightening and confusing. A professional counselor can help a person process their emotions and prepare more adequately for their future.

As a Christian, it is important to know that while a person may lose his or her mental faculties, and even forget who Jesus is, God will never forget him or her, no what how far progressed his or her dementia may be.

It is also true that He has marked out every day of a person’s life, and He knows exactly when and how each person will die. It is not outside of His sovereign plan to work for the good and His glory even through a debilitating disease like dementia.

Family members caring for someone with early-onset dementia can face incredible mental and emotional struggles, not to mention a huge physical and financial load. If a spouse develops early onset dementia, it can be a real shock, especially as he or she is likely still working and earning an income or are nearing the end of his or her working life, with hopes and prospects for a pleasant retirement.

Witnessing a loved one decline in his or her memories and abilities can cause caregivers to feel sad, frustrated, exhausted, overwhelmed, hurt, afraid, and angry. Dementia affects the whole family system possibly for generations.

Counseling for early-onset dementia

Counseling offers a place to process the losses, develop ways to cope, and get the support a family needs to navigate the future. A loving church community can be a vital source of care in assisting with physical and emotional needs. Practically, families can be supported with meals and with looking after the person with dementia for a short time to give the caregiver a break.

Prayer for strength and daily grace and sustenance is also an incredibly powerful way of caring for a family dealing with early-onset dementia. Caring for a loved one with dementia does not need to be an overall negative experience, although there will be negative experiences along the way.

Even though it’s common for a family member to provide primary caregiving to an individual with dementia, this may not be the best solution for everyone. A proper understanding of availability and resources is important to establish how the patient as well as their loved ones will receive the most support.

This might include involving a nursing home at some stage of the journey. Talking with a Christian counselor can help you sort out these complex issues so you can make the best choice for your family.