Early onset dementia: what to know

Early onset dementia describes dementia beginning earlier in adult life, but memory change has many possible causes. Symptoms can involve memory, language, planning, behaviour or daily tasks, and may affect a person differently depending on the underlying condition.

A person may repeat questions, lose track of conversations, struggle with familiar tasks, become disorganised, or show a change in judgement or personality. Memory Problems are not proof of dementia: sleep problems, depression, medication effects, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiency and other illnesses can resemble it. Urinary Incontinence may occur alongside some neurological conditions, but it has many separate causes. Assessment considers the timeline, work and home function, mood, physical health and family observations.

Book a GP Consultation for new, progressive or function-changing symptoms. Take a trusted person if possible and bring medicines, medical history and examples of changes. The clinician may use memory and thinking tasks, a physical examination, blood tests and further assessment. Keep routines predictable, reduce hazards, use reminders, and agree who can help with appointments, finances and medicines.

Seek emergency help for sudden confusion, new weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, collapse, severe headache or a seizure. These can signal an acute problem rather than gradual dementia. Arrange prompt medical review for rapidly worsening confusion, new falls, unsafe driving, missed medicines, wandering, or inability to manage food and fluids.

Ask which changes are most concerning, what reversible causes should be checked, whether a Mental Health Assessment would help, and how to support safety at home. Ask when follow-up should occur and who should attend.