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 

There are a number of services available to support people with dementia. However, not all dementia services meet the needs of younger people.

Services for younger people with dementia should understand the issues that come from receiving a diagnosis as a younger person. They should also be able to provide appropriate information and support to help with the issues younger people with dementia face. Having access to age-appropriate information and support can make a big difference to people with young-onset dementia and those supporting them. 

Younger people with dementia may find they are offered services that are designed for older people and so aren’t able to give the support they need. There are some services specifically for younger people with dementia, but they aren’t available everywhere. Some dementia services are able to provide appropriate support for younger people with dementia as well as older people with dementia. For example, some activity groups may run groups just for younger people with dementia. 

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

In some areas there are local support groups for younger people or those living with certain types of dementia (such as FTD or familial Alzheimer’s disease). These can enable younger people with dementia and those close to them to meet or get in touch with other younger people affected by dementia.