Early Onset Alzheimer’s Drastically Affects Families

 Although we think of people in their 70s and 80s as having Alzheimer’s, it is found in some who are much younger.  Doctors and researchers are realizing this disease can affect people as early as their 30s. 

Early onset dementia or Alzheimer’s also can have a disastrous effect on a family’s income because often that person is one of the wage earners.  They also might have dependent children at home. 

Diana Friel McGowin tells about her struggles with early onset Alzheimer’s in her book, Living in the Labyrinth, a Personal Journey through the Maze of Alzheimer’s.  I found this book particularly helpful when caring for my mom.  It helped give me insight into what Mother was going through and might be feeling, even though hers was not early onset.