Subjective experiences of younger people with dementia and their families: implications for UK research, policy and practice

Young-onset dementia (dementia in people under 65 years of age) remains an under-researched area of dementia care. As populations age in industrialized countries, dementia is set to increase: this includes dementias in younger people. Current estimates suggest there are over 15 000 younger people living with dementia in the UK, whilst dedicated services and research in this area remain limited. Younger people may be affected by rarer forms of dementia that can create various kinds of impairment in the individual. For example, as Boxer and Miller report, although memory can be affected, people with conditions such as frontotemporal dementia can present initially with personality changes as the primary symptom. Younger people may also have more difficulties with visuospatial and semantic tasks when compared with an person, and there are likely to be personal and societal implications for the entire family. © 2009 Cambridge University Press.