Dementia Is Not Just for Old Folk: Breaking the Stereotypes

Challenging Misconceptions: The Struggle for Diagnosis in Young-Onset Dementia.

Ah, dementia—the condition we all seem to assume comes free with a bus pass and a love for Werther's Originals. It's the sort of thing we expect to see in little old ladies who keep calling their grandchildren by their cat's name.

But what if I told you that dementia doesn't check IDs at the door? Contrary to popular belief (and the assumptions of too many clinicians), dementia doesn't only happen to people whose favourite pastime is criticising today's young people and their music and rattling on about how good it was in "our day".

The Myth of the "Dementia Look"

Let's start with one of the biggest problems: clinicians who are so used to seeing dementia in older adults that they practically demand grey hair and proof of a State pension before even considering a diagnosis.

Many of us younger people with dementia often spend years playing medical, musical chairs, bouncing from one misdiagnosis to another like a contestant on a chaotic game show—only without the consolation prize.

The frustration of not being taken seriously, of having our symptoms dismissed as mere stress or anxiety, is a constant companion on this journey.

Common detours before getting a proper diagnosis include:

• Stress – Because clearly, forgetting your own address at 42 is just a quirky side effect of work emails.

• Anxiety – Yes, we're anxious… because we keep forgetting our own passwords every single day.

• Depression – Well, of course, we're sad! Who wouldn't be when they show up to work without their lunch or wallet?

• 
  

The Comedy of Errors in Diagnosis

Picture this: a 58-year-old walks into a doctor's office and says, "I think I have dementia." The doctor nods sagely, looks at their still quite middle-aged complexion, and immediately says, "Have you tried yoga?"

If the same person were 78, the doctor would immediately whip out the cognitive tests like a magician producing a rabbit. But if you're under 65? Good luck convincing anyone that forgetting your way home isn't just because you're "too distracted by your mobile phone."

Living with the Unexpected

For those actually navigating young-onset dementia, life is a never-ending series of awkward moments. Imagine being in a restaurant, staring blankly at a menu, while your friends whisper, "Decision fatigue, huh?" And you have to awkwardly explain that, no, you're not indecisive—you literally don't remember what you like to eat anymore.

Or how about the boss who assumes you're just not "engaged" enough or "lazy" when you can't follow multi-step tasks anymore?

Or the family member who thinks you're being dramatic, or that you just don't care when you forget their birthday—again?

Breaking the Stereotypes

Here's the real danger of dementia stereotypes: they don't just lead to missed diagnoses—they lead to isolation, misunderstanding, and a society that refuses to accommodate people who don't fit the mould of "old and forgetful."

Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in managing the symptoms and progression of dementia. We need clinicians who look at symptoms, not just age, and are proactive in considering dementia as a potential diagnosis, especially in younger patients.

We need workplaces that understand that not everyone struggling with memory is "tired."

And we need a world where young people with dementia aren't stuck convincing everyone—including doctors—that our struggles are real.

It's not just about individual understanding, it's about a societal shift in perception and accommodation.

Because at the end of the day, dementia isn't a punchline—it's a condition that doesn't discriminate.

And the sooner we stop assuming it only happens to our grandmas, the better we'll be at recognising and supporting those who need it, no matter their age.

With increased awareness and understanding, we can create a future where dementia is not a punchline, but a condition that is met with empathy and support.

Now, please excuse me, I have to go find my car keys… again.