Younger Onset Dementia (YOD)

A person with younger onset dementia will need extra consideration because the dementia appears at an earlier stage of their life when they are likely to be more physically and socially active.

When diagnosed they may be:

• In full time employment
• Actively raising a family
• Financially responsible for the family
• Physically strong and healthy

Encourage the patient to obtain a competency assessment. The assessment report (usually undertaken by a neuropsychologist) can be used in a range of situations to demonstrate the extent to which the patient has the capacity to make their own decisions.

The assessment looks at a person’s cognitive abilities (e.g. attention, memory, thinking, problem solving), particularly their strengths and weaknesses. This information is important for both carers and the medical team as it can be used to develop strategies to assist with cognitive and behavioural interventions which will vary from individual to individual.

Encourage the patient to make a will, put power of attorney arrangements in place and to put in place an Advanced Care Plan. Advance care plans state preferences relating to the medical treatment that the person would like to receive when they are unable to make or communicate such a decision.