Clip: In My Life

I have Early -Onset ALZ. That has limited my ability to learn songs, but I still love to sing. So if you notice me looking toward my screen, it to see the words I can't remember. I decide to record as many as I could and put them up for my wife and kids and grandkids, as this is how they have always seen me and always remember me, Singing. I get out of bed singing...LOL

EARLY-ONSET ALZHEIMERS
WHY? HOW? WHEN? READ FURTHER AND EDUCATE YOURSELF.

Early-onset Alzheimer's is an uncommon form of dementia that strikes people much younger age. Most people with early-onset Alzheimer's develop symptoms of the disease in their 40s and 50s. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 8 to 10 years. In some cases, however, it can be as short as 3 years as AD can go undiagnosed for several years. In fact, the average length of time between when symptoms begin and when an AD diagnosis is made is 2.8 years.

Some people with early-onset Alzheimer's have the most common form of the disease. Experts don't know why these people get the disease at a younger age than others do.

But others with early-onset Alzheimer's have a type of the disease called "familial Alzheimer's disease." They're likely to have a parent or grandparent who also developed Alzheimer's at a younger age.

Early-onset Alzheimer's that runs in families is linked to three genes — the APP, PSEN 1 and PSEN 2 — that differ from the APOE gene that can increase your risk of Alzheimer's in general.

Together, these three genes account for less than 1 percent of all Alzheimer's disease cases but about 60 to 70 percent of early-onset Alzheimer's cases. If you have a genetic mutation in one of those three genes, you may develop Alzheimer's before age 65.

Genetic testing for these mutations is available, but anyone who's considering it should pursue genetic counseling — to examine the pros and cons beforehand.

For example, it may be helpful to consider how a positive test may affect your eligibility for long-term care, disability and life insurance.

On the other hand, if you know you carry a form of the early-onset genes, you may be able to take steps to make it easier for you and your loved ones to cope with the effects of the disease.

If you have early-onset Alzheimer's linked to one of the three genes or carry a form of these genes without symptoms, talk to your doctor about participating in a research study. By studying the early-onset form of Alzheimer's, researchers hope to learn more about the causes and progression of the disease and develop new treatments.

Accurate diagnosis is critical
An accurate diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's is crucial for medical reasons to rule out other potential issues and get the most appropriate treatment as well as for personal and professional reasons.

How to cope with early-onset Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease has a tremendous impact at any age. But people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease may face some unique challenges.

They may face stigmas and stereotypes about the disease. Due to their young age, people may not believe they have the disease or question the diagnosis.

People with early-onset Alzheimer's may lose relationships or jobs instead as a consequence of this misunderstanding rather than being identified as medically ill or disabled.

Видео Clip: In My Life канала David Watson