Symptoms may not be widely apparent at this stage, but family and close friends may take notice and a doctor would be able to identify symptoms using certain diagnostic tools. Common difficulties include:. In addition, this is the ideal time to put legal, financial and end-of-life plans in place because the person with dementia will be able to participate in decision-making.
Learn More. Middle-stage Alzheimer's is typically the longest stage and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, the person with Alzheimer's will require a greater level of care.
Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for the person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance. Free e-learning course Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia: Learn the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, stages, risk factors, current research, treatments and more. In the final stage of the disease, dementia symptoms are severe.
Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult.
Earlier detection may mean an extended period of survival with the disease. Interventions might include such things as changes to diet, exercise, and sleep habits; cognitive training; and increased social engagement. The age at diagnosis, too, is important because an older individual may already be frail and vulnerable to additional life-shortening accidents, diseases, or infections.
The presence of comorbid diseases one or more additional medical conditions , too, may accompany aging and shorten life expectancy. Survival lengths after a diagnosis of vascular dementia or frontotemporal dementia are intermediate. This ballpark figure might prove correct or not since it is an estimate based on a population rather than a certainty for this individual. Back to Expert Advice. Expert Advice.
Article What Causes Dementia? Survival, effect measures, and impact numbers after dementia diagnosis: a matched cohort study. On the other hand, if you know you carry a form of the young-onset genes, you may be able to take steps to make it easier for you and your loved ones to cope with the effects of the disease. If you have young-onset Alzheimer's linked to one of the three genes or carry a form of these genes without symptoms, talk to your doctor about participating in a research study.
By studying the young-onset form of Alzheimer's, researchers hope to learn more about the causes and progression of the disease and develop new treatments.
An accurate diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's is crucial for medical reasons to rule out other potential issues and get the most appropriate treatment as well as for personal and professional reasons. For you and your family, the diagnosis is fundamental in helping your family respond with appropriate understanding and compassion. It can also give you and your family more time to make important decisions about financial and legal issues.
At work, it can allow you to explain your condition to your employer and perhaps arrange a lighter workload or more convenient schedule. Alzheimer's disease has a tremendous impact at any age. But people with young-onset Alzheimer's disease may face some unique challenges. They may face stigmas and stereotypes about the disease. Due to their young age, people with young-onset Alzheimer's may find that others do not believe they have the disease or question the diagnosis.
People with young-onset Alzheimer's may lose relationships or jobs as a consequence of this misunderstanding instead of being identified as medically ill or disabled.
Before your condition significantly affects your ability to do your job, talk to your employer. What you can do:. After a diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's, spouses or partners often feel a sense of loneliness or loss as they face the possibility of spending many years without an active partner. Losing the romantic component and changing to a caregiver status also complicates the relationship. Try to:. A diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's can also be difficult for children, who may not understand.
Children may blame themselves, become angry or react in any number of ways. People with young-onset Alzheimer's often have to quit work, and this loss of income is a serious concern. Finances get even tighter if spouses or partners also quit their jobs to become full-time caregivers. Some medical benefits plans and many social-support programs won't provide assistance unless the person with Alzheimer's is older than age Younger people may need special waivers to get into such programs.
Key elements of Alzheimer's care are education and support. This is especially true in young-onset Alzheimer's given its unique challenges. Getting connected to services such as support groups can help you identify resources, gain a deeper understanding of the disability and learn ways to adapt. Remember, you're not alone. Many resources are available to assist you, your family and your caregivers in coping with this disease. Options for support may vary depending on where you live.
In the early stages of the disease, be sure that you and your spouse or partner do research and establish a plan for managing the progression of your condition. Knowing you have a plan and have identified support and resources will help everyone in the future.
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