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Man diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 55 after years of memory problems
Emma Ruscoe says her husband Simon’s memory and ability to play familiar games changed when he was 51, but doctors initially attributed his symptoms to stress and did not diagnose dementia. He was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 55, after a lengthy effort to have his decline recognised; his experience highlights the difficulties younger people can face getting assessed.
Simon’s first noticeable problems arose on a family holiday in Greece in 2016, and later included forgetting a familiar driving route and returning from a shop with the wrong items. Emma kept a diary of his behaviour before further assessment in 2019 led to his diagnosis in early 2020. He stopped working in 2021 and, now 62, is cared for full-time by Emma, who says he recognises his family but has significantly reduced cognitive abilities.
In short
- Simon was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 55.
- His symptoms were initially put down to stress.
- Emma is now his full-time carer.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “When my husband started forgetting things, doctors dismissed us… and told me I was imagining it because of menopausal brain fog. Then he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at 55 – these were all the warning signs”.