Treatment for people with young-onset dementia

Young onset-dementia treatment

There is currently no cure for dementia. However, there are treatments and support services that can help someone with the condition. These include drug and non-drug treatments, support, activities, information and advice.

Treatments that don’t involve drugs are also available. These may include talking therapies to help with depression or anxiety,  such as: 

• Psychotherapy – this involves working out how difficult feelings, thoughts and behaviour might be affected by personality, beliefs and life experiences  
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – this involves finding positive ways to think, feel and act  
• Counselling – this involves talking about your concerns with a professional. It can be one on one, or be done with a partner or in a group. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy can help with finding a suitable counsellor.
• Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) uses activities and exercises to improve memory and communication. It often takes place in groups.  
• In life story work, a person works with someone to make a record of their life. It’s a way for the person to tell others who they are and what is important to them. It may help them hold onto their identity. Life story work can be in a book, photo album or on a computer.  

Non-drug treatments may also help with changes in behaviour. Staying healthy and active can help a person to live well with dementia. This includes keeping physically active, eating a balanced diet, drinking alcohol within the recommended limits and not smoking.

Services for people with young-onset dementia 

It’s really important for younger people with dementia to have access to the right support, including services designed for them and being able to meet other people in a similar situation.  

Unfortunately, younger people with dementia often find that they are offered services that are designed with older people in mind and so they aren’t able to get the support that’s right for them. They may struggle to find local support groups with people around their own age, or who have similar interests. 

Some areas have local support groups for younger people or those living with certain types of dementia (such as Frontotemporal dementia or familial Alzheimer’s disease). These can enable younger people with dementia and their families to meet or get in touch with people who are having similar experiences to them. 

Sometimes it might be necessary to travel to these groups – particularly those for rarer types of dementia.