How can we help you?
Close
Let us help you search:
Common topics:
Information Type:
Common topics:
Being diagnosed under the age of 65 presents unique challenges and there are many topics to consider, including, finances, children, employment, and health wishes. Living with dementia can cause big changes in individuals and families future plans as many need to consider how life needs and wishes may change as a person's dementia progresses. Since there is no cure or treatment and dementia is a progressive disease that can affect reasoning and communication it is important to plan for your future and ensure that others know how they can assist you with putting those plan into action, when needed.
Being diagnosed under the age of 65 presents unique challenges and there are many topics to consider, including, finances, children, employment, and health wishes. Living with dementia can cause big changes in individuals and families future plans as many need to consider how life needs and wishes may change as a person's dementia progresses. Your caregiving role is dependent on the needs of the person with dementia and your unique situation.
Young Onset Dementia is the term used to describe people under the age of 65 years who have been diagnosed with a type of dementia. People under the age of 65 years are often still working, many are raising dependent children, and some are also caring for an elderly relative. People with Young Onset Dementia have numerous decisions to make and a range of service options to consider as their dementia progresses. They frequently report not knowing what services are available or how to access those services. This resource guide is one of several documents to give information and support to Young Onset families as they journey through the process of gaining supports and services that they need as they live with dementia.
Care Partners, these next scenarios are not here to scare you, but we want to make you aware of things that may happen. It is important to know that these things do not happen to everyone, but knowing it can, will better prepare you in the case these situations arise. Within each of the situations below, there can be many individual experiences, they can range mild to extreme. Remind yourself that your family member has dementia, and this is the cause of these situations.
Let’s now explore the changing brain function in a person living with dementia. The highway system analogy used in the video below is an illustration of brain function.
Please feel free to pause the video whenever you need to consider the points shared or to note questions for further discussion.
,
We hope the analogy of brain function as a highway system has been helpful to you. If you'd like to watch the video again from beginning to end or are doing so for the first time, please feel free to pause it whenever you need and jot down any questions that arise.
,
After you watch the video, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
,
You may also hear about the connections between Alzheimer’s disease and other illnesses. Click on the links below to be taken to the Alzheimer Society of Canada National Resource Library.
There are many rare types of dementia that can be view on the website such as:
,
Understanding Dementia - Tips and Tricks
,
Download File, Download File, Download File, Download File, Download File
At the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories we have a wealth of additional resources to support you.
Here are just a few examples.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if these don't cover a topic that is of interest to you.
A list of ten (10) warning signs to look for when you believe someone may be exhibiting symptoms of dementia,
An overview of Alzheimer's Disease, including what we currently know about the disease and its effects as well as guidance about how to live with Alzheimer's Disease.
Overview of the major treatment options currently available for Alzheimer Disease.
Great tips to maintain brain health!
An overview of how communication is impacted by dementia and some tips for communicating more effectively with persons living with dementia.
A document created by those impacted by dementia for others in the dementia community who are dealing with grief and loss.
An introduction to personal directives.
A list, containing contact details, of all available Care Partner Support Groups in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
A list, containing contact details, of all available Young Onset and Early Stage Support Groups in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
A short overview of the main forms of community care and how to access them.
Frequently asked questions relating to continuing care available from Alberta Health Services.
A glossary of the key terms related to Continuing Care available from Alberta Health Services.
Learn about the Medic Alert Safely Home Program in partnership with the Alzheimer Society.
Application form to join the Medic Alert Safely Home Program.
Dementia advice is now available via Health Link. The details can be found in this document.
Interested in receiving the HelpForDementia Newsletter so you can receive information like this on an ongoing basis?
Contact Client Services to ensure you are on the mailing list.
Explore the benefits of the HelpForDementia for persons living with dementia, care partners and their families and friends.
Interested in supporting the work of the Alzheimer Society and Northwest Territories with a donation?
Here's how....
The early stage of dementia marks a beginning that will bring with it significant changes for you and the people who care about you.
You will likely retain many of your abilities and require minimal assistance during this stage. You may have insight into your changing abilities and therefore, can inform others of your experience of living with the disease and help to plan and direct your future care. You may also be feeling overwhelmed and apprehensive about the future. It is normal for both you and your family to have many mixed emotions including feelings of grief and sadness.
Please note that the term “early stage” refers to people of any age who have mild impairments because of dementia. This differs from the term “early onset.” Early or young onset refers to people who have been diagnosed with dementia at a younger age than usual, typically in their 50s or very early 60s. Take the quiz below to learn some helpful strategies for dealing with common symptoms in the early stage of dementia.
,
,
What to expect as the person’s dementia progresses
Expressions of feelings and needs are always a way that a person communicates. At this stage of the disease, the care partner needs to think like a detective.
Reference: “PIECES approach,” U-First® program, accessed 6 March 2024
Dementia is much more than memory lapses. Your brain is responsible for many more functions. As you can see, different aspects will influence the person living with dementia and how they react.
To understand more about how physical changes in the person might influence the brain, please visit the Canadian Coalition for Seniors Mental Health.
To understand how the brain changes of dementia affect the senses of the person living with dementia, access Talking Sense: Living with Sensory Changes and Dementia by Agnes Houston, diagnosed with young-onset dementia.
