Living Life with Younger-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
Posted by Jim Kimzey on Mon, May 17, 2010
Younger-Onset/Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease
"Younger Onset" or "Early Onset" are terms used to describe a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease in people younger than the age of 65. "Early onset" refers to the age of the person, not the stage of the disease. People with early-onset Alzheimer's could be in the early, middle or late stages of the disease.
Experts estimate that there are over 500,000 people in the U.S. in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who are living with Alzheimer's disease. Having Alzheimer's at such an early age puts unique pressures on families because the newly diagnosed patient may have a job, young children, and inadequate savings to deal with an early retirement from the workforce.
This video describes one family's experience, including the early symptoms, dealing with the diagnosis, providing assisted living at home, and living a full life in spite of Alzheimer's.
