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The moment when you realize your parent is getting lost in familiar places marks the beginning of a different kind of grief. For those with loved ones experiencing early onset Alzheimer's – dementia that begins before age 65 – this journey starts much sooner than expected.

Drawing from my personal experience with my mother, who began showing symptoms in her mid-60s but wasn't diagnosed until much later, I explore the unique challenges of early onset Alzheimer's. Unlike the typical cases affecting those in their late 70s or 80s, this form strikes approximately 200,000 Americans earlier in life, accounting for about 3% of all Alzheimer's cases. The disease progresses more aggressively in younger patients, yet presents with symptoms that are often missed or misattributed to stress, depression, or normal aging.

Through my mother's story, I share the subtle warning signs we missed – her sudden refusal to drive, blaming it on disliking a new car; her reluctance to shop independently; her inability to follow simple television plots. These weren't just normal forgetfulness but manifestations of a brain changing far too soon. Early onset patients often experience unusual symptoms beyond memory loss, including difficulties processing visual information, recognizing faces (even of spouses and children), and significant declines in language, writing, and executive functioning skills. Perhaps most heartbreaking is that these patients typically maintain good physical health while experiencing profound cognitive decline – my mother remained mobile without assistance despite advanced dementia, surprising even her hospice nurses.

If you're caring for someone with dementia or noticing concerning changes in a loved one, please reach out through comments or my upcoming Instagram page. Share your experiences, suggest topics you'd like covered, or simply connect with others walking this difficult path. Together, we can navigate the complex journey of caregiving, memory loss, and the grief that comes when someone we love begins to forget.

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