Early onset or presenile dementia is a term used to describe a range of illnesses or diseases affecting memory, thinking and other cognitive functioning in people under the age of 65. Although most dementias affect people who are mature aged and therefore less likely to be participating in the workforce, occasionally younger people (those in their 40s and 50s) are diagnosed with dementia.
Symptoms and characteristics
The symptoms of early onset dementia are no different to dementia, only that they can present at an earlier age. Symptoms include:
- memory loss such as forgetting appointments or meetings
- confusion about time and place, for example, forgetting the day of the week or where they are
- problems with language such as difficulty finding the right words
- difficulty concentrating
- poor or decreased judgment for example, misjudging distance when driving
- misplacing things
- changes in personality or behaviour such as rapid mood swings, or becoming confused and withdrawn
- feelings of uncertainty about making important decisions and losing confidence.
Workplace adjustments and modifications
In the workplace people with early onset dementia may function better with set routines, clear instructions and well learned tasks. Furthermore, there are various factors that would greatly assist people with early onset dementia to better manage their symptoms in the workplace. These include:
- reduced hours of work
- having one or two colleagues to act as supports in the workplace
- assistance with planning for the future and considering how to decide when the time is right to leave work (for some, taking on voluntary work instead is one way of keeping active while continuing to make a contribution to the community).
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
References
Alzheimer’s Australia 2006, What is dementia?, Alzheimer’s Australia, Canberra, viewed 15 December 2006, <http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=379 >.
Health-cares.net 2005, What is early-onset dementia?, Health-cares.net , U.S.A, viewed 18 April 2007, <http://neurology.health-cares.net/early-onset-dementia.php>.