Courtesy of Bristol Village

Alzheimer’s disease is often viewed as a condition that affects the aging population, but the Alzheimer’s Association says younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease, also known as early-onset Alzheimer’s, affects a small number of individuals in their 40s and 50s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of early-onset neurodegenerative dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Experts aren’t sure what causes early-onset Alzheimer’s. Johns Hopkins Medicine says doctors suspect that fragments of a protein, called beta-amyloid, build up and cause plaque to develop in the brain, while tau, another protein, twists and forms tangles. While just about everyone develops plaques and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer’s disease develop a greater number, damaging the memory areas of the brain first, and later affecting additional areas.

Many people with early-onset Alzheimer’s don’t have significant memory loss initially. Visual symptoms like “tunnel vision” may be the first indication of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This may accompany an inability to recognize faces and impaired speech or difficulty with words in conversation. Because these symptoms are atypical from Alzheimer’s, patients may not get a correct diagnosis and the care they need.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease often progresses much faster than late-onset, so recognition of symptoms, diagnosis, and prompt treatment is essential. Sometimes, professional memory care facilities, like Bristol Village, are the best fit for 24/7 supervised care in a safe, structured environment.

“Our Memory Care program has been developed to meet the physical and psychosocial needs of those challenged by Alzheimer’s disease and other progressive memory impairment problems,” says Bristol Village President/CEO Mike Helbringer. “Memory care in an assisted living residence is best suited for those who have mild to moderate functional impairment but who can still engage in tasks such as feeding themselves.”

Few research studies have been conducted on early-onset Alzheimer’s, making it difficult to pinpoint if certain people are more susceptible to it. Family history of the disease is the only known risk factor at this time.

“We’re here to make it easier on families,” says Helbringer. “Our Bristol Village community offers more than just care — it offers connection, dignity, and peace of mind. We’re committed to treating each resident like family, with respect, patience, and kindness.”

Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at any age is life-changing; however, physicians have been successful in helping some people maintain mental function, control behavior, and slow progression of the disease when caught early. Any abnormalities in memory, sight, speech, and behavior should be addressed with a doctor as soon as possible.