Topics: Health, Mental Health, World News, YouTube, Social Media, Parenting
A 41-year-old father has opened up about a symptom of Young-onset Alzheimer's disease he noticed when trying to communicate with his teenage children.
Fraser was diagnosed with Young-onset Alzheimer's disease midway through 2024, however, his symptoms started around two years before that.
Young-onset Alzheimer's disease - also known as early-onset Alzheimer's - is an 'uncommon form of dementia' when Alzheimer's begins before the age of 65, Mayo Clinic explains.
Alzheimer's - the most common cause of dementia - is a currently incurable brain disorder which impacts memory, thinking and reasoning, making judgements and decisions, and can lead to changes in personality and behavior.
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In a video shared to his YouTube - I (don't) have dementia - Fraser explains he can't 'remember' what his initial symptoms 'really were' but recalled having 'some pretty big memory flaws' such as 'having issues with remembering what's going on with other peoples' lives'.
He recalled: "I've got teenage daughters and I guess I started dropping the ball a little bit in terms of just knowing what's on their schedule, what's on their plans.
"And I remember once, early on, I remember my daughter had told me numerous times in the day she was going to the movies that night and it would be sort of quite late with a friend.
"And it came to nighttime and I started freaking out, thinking, 'Where's my daughter?'"
He continued: "I was genuinely freaking out. I was driving to the nearby town, trying to see from other friends if they'd heard from her.
"And it got to a point where I was about to ring the police I was that concerned."
Fraser had frantically been trying to ring his daughter and get through to her but hadn't heard back, but thankfully she eventually ended up calling him back, reminding him she'd been in the cinema watching a movie.
"Those things - being able to remember what other people are doing especially - I drop the ball constantly with that," he added.
In order to help Fraser remember where other people are or what his loved ones are doing, his family have since come up with 'a system'.
The dad explained his kids will message him their work schedules and he'll put them in his diary and they'll also message him their plans even after telling him.
"Just because I know there's a good chance that later on in the day when the time comes, I'll be thinking, 'Where are they going again? What are they doing?'
"And I can just go back to my messages and go, 'That's right'."
Fraser's YouTube hopes not only to raise awareness of Young-onset Alzheimer's but also support others on a similar 'journey with dementia'.
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.
