International Psychogeriatrics has published a special issue on Young Onset Dementia, guest edited by Raymond Koopmans and Tor Rosness.

The rising prevalence of dementia includes an increase of people with Young Onset Dementia (YOD). Studies have scrutinized the literature and documented distinct differences in traits between younger and older persons with dementia in several areas such as medical treatment, physical activity, functional level, activities of daily living, comorbidity, risk profiles, and caregiver distress. However, the cut-off of 65 years is arbitrary and there is still no consensus on if a diagnosis of dementia has to be made before the age of 65 years or if it is sufficient that the first symptoms are detected before the age of 65 years?

YOD is being steadily recognized as an important psychosocial and medical health problem with specific-age-related adverse consequences for both these younger persons and their families, however, many countries lack specific plans in their dementia strategies and do not offer any specific form of services or support for this group of individuals. Therefore the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) established a taskforce on YOD. The idea of composing a special issue on YOD was raised during The Hague meeting in 2011, and the issue consists partially of papers that have been presented during the symposia and workshop-meetings of the taskforce.

The YOD special issue provides an overview of important topics including unmet needs of carers, different clinical approaches to YOD diagnoses, needs of children with YOD parents, and medical treatment of behavioral symptoms of YOD patients.

We are offering limited time free access to the articles from this issue – simply register using our short form, using the code IPGYOD2