Dementia is often thought of as a condition of later life, but thousands of people in the UK are diagnosed before the age of 65. Known as young-onset dementia, it can strike individuals in the midst of working, raising families, and building their futures. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, around 70,800 people in the UK are living with young-onset dementia. For families, the impact is devastating — careers are cut short, finances are thrown into uncertainty, and children are forced to adapt to changes they cannot fully understand.
Carers of people with dementia face their own challenges. Research shows that unpaid carers often experience high levels of stress, depression, and financial strain. Many report feeling isolated, with limited access to respite or culturally familiar support networks.
It is in this challenging landscape that Mariam’s story unfolds.
Tears arrived before the tea had cooled. Mariam Hussain (name changed) sat down with her Lifestyle Check Adviser at Vesey Practice, her quiet composure soon giving way to the reality of her situation. Her husband, only 42, had been diagnosed with dementia. Together, they were raising two young children while trying to make sense of a future they had never imagined when they moved to the UK in 2019.
Once a dual-income household, they were now surviving on savings. Mariam was reluctant to ask for help. “We’re okay for now,” she said at first. But beneath that determination was exhaustion, financial worry, and a deep loneliness that she had carried quietly.
In a private room, her adviser Colette gave her the space to open up. Mariam admitted how much she missed having family nearby and how little community support she had to lean on. What she did have was a small but significant lifeline: she had recently joined a local group and was starting to form friendships. That connection became a key part of her ongoing plan.
Practical support followed. Mariam was referred to the Carers Hub and the Household Support Fund, helping to ease financial strain and explore respite options. She was also provided with information about other culturally familiar groups but chose to remain with the one where she had already begun to feel comfortable.
Equally important was the emotional support. There was no pressure, only time, privacy, and gentle listening. Mariam left knowing she could return for further help whenever she needed to, and she was encouraged to share her needs fully with the Carers Hub.
By the end of her session, she carried more than a handful of leaflets. She carried reassurance that she was not facing her struggles alone. As she put it, she now felt “supported”—and sometimes, that word makes all the difference.
Reflection
Mariam’s case highlights the importance of Lifestyle Check Advisers in supporting families facing young-onset dementia. By offering time, privacy, and both practical and emotional guidance, advisers help people hold on to a sense of strength and connection when life changes suddenly.
References
- Alzheimer’s Society – Young-onset dementia statistics, 2025
- Carers UK – State of Caring report, 2024
- NHS – Dementia and carers guidance, 2024
- ONS – Unpaid carers and wellbeing data, 2025
- Local Government Association – Respite care and support services report, 2024
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