Understanding the causes, symptoms and effects of young-onset dementia
Intended for healthcare professionals
CPD    

Understanding the causes, symptoms and effects of young-onset dementia

Manisha Ray Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, England
Tom Dening Professor of Dementia Research, Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, England

Why you should read this article:
  • To increase your awareness of young-onset dementia and its distinct challenges

  • To understand the differences between young-onset dementia and dementia developing later in life

  • To recognise the role of nurses in ensuring people with young-onset dementia are adequately diagnosed and supported

Young-onset dementia refers to dementia that develops before the age of 65 years. It can present with a wide variety of symptoms including cognitive, behavioural, neurological and systemic symptoms, which reflects the wide range of possible causes. Young-onset dementia profoundly affects all aspects of people’s lives, including relationships, employment and finances, and it will also profoundly affect relatives and carers. This article outlines the causes, symptoms and effects of young-onset dementia and describes the role of nurses in providing care and support to people with this progressive condition.

Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2020.e11620

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

@TomDening

Correspondence

Tom.Dening@nottingham.ac.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Ray M, Dening T (2020) Understanding the causes, symptoms and effects of young-onset dementia. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2020.e11620

Published online: 14 December 2020

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