Wife of man, 55, diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s reveals subtle first symptoms she noticed
Early-onset Alzheimer’s typically develops in your 40s and 50s
Callum Jones
The wife of a man who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's in 2023 has detailed some of the subtle first symptoms she noticed.
Anthony and Karen Sandone's life was turned upside down some three years ago after the former was diagnosed with the disease, much to their shock.
Dementia or Alzheimer's is often associated with the older generation, and, yes, the disease is most common in those 65+.
However, those under the age of 65 can also be diagnosed with the condition, known as 'early-onset'.
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Anthony was just 55 when he received his dementia diagnosis, with wife Karen detailing some of the early signs she noticed.
Replying to a comment on her TikTok account (@ksandone), Karen said: "The first sign was word recall and having trouble with finishing his sentences. Then we noticed other symptoms-short term memory, could not follow GPS, etc... technology became a huge issue as well."
In a recent interview with People Magazine, it was noted Anthony struggled with memory loss and language difficulties prior to receiving his diagnosis.
Discussing the day-to-day impact it's hard on herself and the family, Karen told the outlet: "What has surprised me most is my own endurance. I did not know I could live in a near-constant state of alertness and still lead with love. Some mornings, I want to sit quietly and take everything in, but those moments do not last long.
"Instead, I am grateful for the time we have together in the mornings, knowing that this time together, too, may change. I have found a strength I never asked for, but one I now rely on every single day."
Symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's can be different to that of people who receive the diagnosis over the age of 65.
Nick Fox, a 'leading expert in young-onset', wrote a first-person piece for The Telegraph to disclose some of the symptoms to be wary of.
While perfectly common during certain parts of your life, Fox noted when such occurrence may be something more sinister.
He explained: "Our frontal lobes are important for motivation, so people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may simply not want to do anything at all, even if someone else organises it for them."
Examples of personality changes to be aware of include excessively eating sweet foods and wearing 'unusually bright clothes', according to the health expert.
Other signs to look out for are 'developing rigid routines, or becoming obsessed with certain foods, activities or television programmes', Fox went on to say.
If you've been affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact the Alzheimer's Association via 800.272.3900 open 24 hours seven days a week.