Sharing real-life stories of young onset dementia with Natasha and Basil

Roughly 28,000 people in Canada are living with young onset dementia. Every one of them, and their family members, has a story to tell.
Here, Natasha and Basil remember their late family member Linus.
Linus was Natasha's grandfather, so she experienced his young onset dementia from the perspective of a young girl. That experience motivated her to go into dementia-care fields as an adult, and to make space for people of colour and immigrant families in narratives around young onset dementia.
Linus was Basil's father. Basil was an adult when his father started to show signs of young onset dementia. But it took one day in particular to show him just how far the symptoms had developed.
If you or someone you know is living with young onset dementia, your local Alzheimer Society is here for you.
Find your area office's contact information now at alzheimer.ca/find. Or reach our national information and referral line at 1-855-705-4636 and [e-mail] to get connected with your regional experts ASAP.

[@lindawiggins4443]

I write my name over and over, nothing wrong w/it !!!!

[@AlzheimerCanada]

Hi Linda, thank you for sharing your experience. Glad to hear you are in good health! What can be a sign of dementia is when someone's behaviour changes noticeably. That is likely part of what made the name-writing stand out so much in this person's experience when reflecting on childhood experience of a grandparent's dementia. For more info on the top 10 warning signs of dementia anytime, please visit alzheimer.ca/10signs. Continued best of health to you, and thanks again for your feedback.

[@lindawiggins4443]

Doesn't mean u have dementia..

[@AlzheimerCanada]

Hello Linda, thanks for your comment! Glad to hear you are in good health. Definitely, signs of dementia can different in different people.
For instance, what *can* be a sign of dementia is someone behaving differently than they used to, which is likely what made this writing-down-of-names notable to the story-sharer here, as this behaviour was not typical for her family member.
There is an incredible diversity of experience in the dementia and brain health space, and we appreciate you sharing your insight too.
More details on the top 10 signs of dementia (which it sounds like you already know, but just in case) here: alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/do-i-have-dementia/10-warning-signs-dementia