Young-onset dementia often goes unnoticed beyond memory loss

Young-onset dementia (YOD) can initially appear through changes in behaviour, language and spatial awareness rather than the memory difficulties commonly associated with dementia, a public awareness event in Petaling Jaya heard.

The discussion was held on September 12 at ReGen Rehab Hospital as part of World Alzheimer’s Month, an annual September campaign aimed at raising awareness and challenging misconceptions surrounding dementia.

Titled “Understanding Young Onset Dementia: Early Recognition, Non-Memory Symptoms, and Caregiver Wellbeing”, the event brought together family caregivers, healthcare professionals, allied health practitioners and members of the public.

Dr Kenny Ong Kheng Yee, a practising neuropsychiatrist specialising in neurological conditions with psychiatric manifestations, used an optical illusion of a human body painted to resemble a parrot to illustrate how YOD can be overlooked.

During the presentation, Dr Ong discussed how symptoms may differ depending on the areas of the brain affected. Frontal-lobe changes may affect a person’s ability to initiate, sequence or complete everyday tasks, while language difficulties can include prolonged pauses or substituting one word for another.

He also highlighted visuospatial difficulties, which may manifest in problems judging distances while parking, navigating stairs or maintaining one’s place while reading.

Caregiver wellbeing part of dementia care

The discussion also highlighted the particular challenges faced by people diagnosed with YOD, which refers to dementia with symptom onset before age 65. Unlike many people diagnosed later in life, those affected may still be working, supporting children, managing financial commitments or caring for ageing parents.

Dr Ong said such circumstances can create additional pressures for families, making caregiver support an important part of dementia care.

He introduced the CAT framework — Conversation, Active Listening and Tone/Tact — as a structured approach to communication, alongside ABC tracking, which looks at the antecedent, behaviour and consequence surrounding behavioural changes.

For caregivers, he outlined the CARE principle: Connect with support groups, Accept help, Realize limitations and Establish personal routines for rest.

ReGen Rehab Hospital also highlighted its multidisciplinary neuro-rehabilitation services, involving neuropsychiatry, geriatric care and occupational therapy, to assist patients and families managing dementia-related challenges.

Dr Ong concluded the discussion by stressing the importance of recognising symptoms that may not immediately appear to be related to dementia.

“The eyes do not see what the mind does not know,” he said, underscoring the role of awareness in encouraging earlier recognition and appropriate assessment.