1. What is Early Onset Alzheimer’s & What Is Dementia?

What is Alzheimer’s and what is Dementia? How are these two things connected and how are they different?  Many people don’t know what the difference is. Many people also don’t know that some diseases/conditions have dementia as a symptom. The answer is: Alzheimer’s is the disease! Dementia is a symptom of the disease. If you have lived with Alzheimer’s in your family or personally know a friend with dementia-type symptoms, you will understand how life can get confusing and sad.

Early Onset Alzheimer’s symptoms define anyone diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 65. After the age of 65, the disease is identified as full-blown Alzheimer’s.

2. Dementia Awareness

So, now that we know what each condition/disease is called, we can talk a little about it. Here’s the clarity for you: Alzheimer’s is the name of the disease. Dementia is the symptom.

Click this link to read the additional educational information on 10 Most Common Symptoms of Dementia to understand more about Alzheimer’s symptoms and understand the behaviors, (prior to or with full-blown Alzheimer’s).

For those who started early with this disease, the symptoms can cause major distress, fear, early forgetfulness, and misunderstanding as to what is happening to them. Therefore, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of Early Onset Alzheimer’s (EOA) and the signs of dementia, especially acknowledging early symptoms before age 65. Most people don’t know there is anything such as Early Onset Alzheimer’s (EOA).  People will find life very frustrating when EOA begins as they will not know what is happening to them as short-term memory and forgetfulness become a problem.

3. Where To Start: See A Neurologist

It is imperative that you or the person you think is having a problem with memory and forgetfulness START WITH  a certified Neurologist. Many people, as I did, will visit multiple doctors prior to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis as they try to decipher what is happening to them in their everyday life. There may be confusion, forgetfulness, misunderstanding, etc. In continuing and thinking of other possible reasons for their daily forgetfulness we visit too many doctors who may prescribe various drugs for other conditions. If that happens, we are running from doctor to doctor as the various symptoms continue. The true specialist for Alzheimer’s is the Neurologist. 

I’m 65 years old. In my mind, I’m in my 50’s. In my early 50’s, I started to notice some ‘ever so light’ issues with my memory. But it was very minor and I didn’t always recognize it. Didn’t think it was anything special but it did have its effects. Years ago, when I felt that something was wrong, I went from physician to physician before I was officially diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Finally, after finally going to a neurologist, it was determined that I had Early Onset Alzheimers (Alzheimer’s over the age of 65). It took approximately 3-4 years to find out I had Early Onset Alz. (I was under the age of 65). Click on the link “My Journey To Diagnosis” to read and feel some of the experiences of the journeyand understand why I felt something was wrong. My Journey to Diagnosis tells who and what physicians to go to if you think for a minute that you have Alzheimer’s. There is a method of this madness in the sense of following some type of order to find out if you have Early Onset Alzheimer’s or some other type of condition with dementia.

3.1.Neruologist Identification of

I never suspected that I had Early Onset Alzheimer’s, but I knew ‘something’ was not right  (I was in my 50’s at the time).  After seeing multiple types of doctors over a period of years, I finally went to the Neurologist who reviewed, identified and treated brain conditions. The Neurologist:

1. Identifies, confirms the disease or denies the diagnosis.  Identifies other conditions/diseases of the Brain if you don’t have Alzheimer’s.
2. If applicable, a Neurologist will provide the current necessary medications known to slow down Alzheimer’s disease or guide you to the right physician.
3. Supply information to the family about each phase of Alzheimer’s to be well aware of what is to be expected.
4. Educate family and friends to provide support and assistance on the expected progression of Alzheimer’s.
5. Find a Neurologist to give possible family assistance.
6. Educate other family members of symptoms, behaviors, or organizations that can assist, and explain the Good, the Bad, and the Possible Dangers that someone who has Alzheimer’s can get into.

4. Education & Assistance

Informing friends and family of Alzheimer’s and necessary contacts keeps everyone aware of references to new and current medications, clinical trials, nursing homes, and/or care assistance. It is necessary to keep the family educated about this condition for Early Onset Alzheimer’s, as well as Alzheimer’s. It is important to understand what will happen in the future. It can be incredibly emotional as the person diagnosed becomes someone the family members do not know or understand. It will also help the family know when the family patient may need a different type of care. All of the above information must be worked out so an Alzheimer’s Family can get the necessary medical, emotional, and family assistance for everyone.

5. Local Help & Assistance

Lastly, if you have someone in your family that has Early Onset Alzheimer’s, make sure you reach out to your local Alzheimer’s Organization first to get information and assistance. Alzheimer’s Organizations are in every state and can provide important information and assistance. You can locate these organizations by clicking on the following link:  United States Alzheimer’s Organizations to identify your state organization.  Click on the following link United States Alzheimer’s Organization to follow and find  your local (area you live in) Alzheimer’s organization.

If you need to find your State Alzheimer’s organization,, click on the  National Institute National Alzheimer’s (NIA) Organization  The website provides the organizations called the  National Institute of Aging.  These organizations called the  National Institute of Aging are all over the U.S., and provide local State Alzheimer’s organizations, recommend Medical Assistance, Clinical Trial Information, etc. at //www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-alzheimers-disease.

A wealth of information concerning Alzheimer’s and dementia, locations from state to state, and other information as stated in the paragraph above.  I hope this is helpful. If you have any questions, please leave a message below in the comments section and someone will get back in touch with you.

Be blessed. Be well. State Positive in Life.