'Don't be too embarrassed to ask for help,' says the wife of a care home resident with Young Onset Dementia

A RESIDENT at a Rocester care home has been living with Young Onset Dementia for 11 years.

- By MAIL REPORTER

Now, ahead of Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day tomorrow, his wife is urging families affected by the condition to seek support as soon as possible.

Wendy Burton's husband Ian, 61, a former soldier, has been living with frontotemporal dementia for over a decade - the same form of dementia that Bruce Willis was famously diagnosed with in 2023.

Ian moved into 74-bedroom residential and nursing home Barrowhill Hall nine years ago.

He joined as a resident in their separate household, Churnet Lodge, which is tailored specifically for people with Young Onset Dementia - where diagnosis occurs under the age of 65 and care needs can be different from those affected in later life.

"My advice to anyone with a diagnosis of dementia before the age of 65 is to actively seek help from professional support services, including carer support, as soon as you can," Wendy said.

"A diagnosis at any age is very difficult and very challenging for the person themselves and for family and friends, but when that person is younger the impact is dramatic.

"It can often involve a young family, the loss of a career and income, resulting in financial challenges and a very uncertain future, with many plans for retirement wiped out."