Opinion: I wasn’t completely surprised by a dementia diagnosis at 48, but I was shocked by the lack of support

Youthful Canadians hit with a dementia prognosis are profoundly impacted, but there are few helps out there for them or their households.

My father died at age 62 from young-onset Alzheimer’s illness, so when a neurologist informed me at age 48 that I had dementia and would by no means work once more, I used to be devastated, however not utterly shocked.

What did shock me was the shortage of assist and companies for youthful folks with dementia.

When signs of neurocognitive mind illness seem earlier than the age of 65, it’s known as young-onset dementia (YOD). YOD impacts folks within the prime of their lives, and their neighborhood of family members, mates, and work colleagues. The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that at the very least 28,000 Canadians stay with YOD.

Alzheimer’s illness is the most typical reason for YOD. Different causes embrace frontotemporal lobe degeneration (my prognosis), strokes, dementia with Lewy our bodies, head accidents, genetic issues, and substance abuse. YOD robs us of our cognitive skills, govt capabilities, reminiscence, the flexibility to perform independently, and ultimately takes our life.

My neurologist mentioned that as a result of most of the danger elements for dementia, such because the excessive charges of weight problems and diabetes, are not enhancing in younger and middle-aged adults, he fears the incidence of YOD might be on the rise. I just lately discovered that air air pollution can be a danger issue.