Young Onset Dementia

Dementia is often seen as a condition affecting our older population but in fact dementia can affect anyone at any age. Throughout the UK it is estimated that there are over 40,000 people below the age of 65 living with dementia.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare has developed a specialist Young Onset Dementia Pathway to ensure people under the age of 65 with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of dementia have access to timely assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support.

Our Young Onset Dementia Pathway is based within our Mental Health Services for Older People, so that our service users have access to a range of dementia services after their diagnosis. Our pathway covers Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire County and Bassetlaw.

Our aim is to help people living with a diagnosis of young onset dementia to remain active and well in community and this begins with access to timely diagnosis.

Our Young Onset Dementia Pathway provides a specialist assessment and diagnostic service with access to a range of clinicians and investigations, such as brain imaging, for people with suspected dementia.

If a diagnosis of dementia is confirmed, we will work with the person and their family to develop a care plan to help manage symptoms and maintain activity and wellbeing in the community. This care plan may include any of the following, depending on ongoing care needs:

• advice and information on diagnosis and the support available
• medication (if appropriate)
• onward referral to our Therapeutic Intervention Service for post-diagnostic treatment and peer support
• onward referral to other services across the dementia pathway such as our Community Mental Health Teams or Intensive Home Treatment Teams
• signposting or onward referral to social care or voluntary organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society and Tuvida (carers support organisation)