Noticing six distinct changes in how you walk could be a warning sign of early onset dementia.
Once considered to be an illness which exclusively impacted older people, awareness of dementia impacting young people has risen over the years. This includes cases such as the recent death of 24-year-old Andre Yarham who'd been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) at the age of 23.
He was moved to end-of-life care a year later, before passing away from the condition in December 2025.
Increased awareness about how dementia can impact young people has since allowed greater research into conditions such as young or early onset dementia.
Advert
Early onset dementia typically affects people between the age of 30 and 65, while FTD has been diagnosed in patients as young as 45, with notable cases including Die Hard actor Bruce Willis.
The push for greater understanding about early onset dementia has led to experts identifying that both genetics and lifestyle factors can play a role in the onset of the disease, with one expert revealing three key changes people can make in order to reduce their risk factor.
Meanwhile, guidance from Dementia UK has shared detailed guidance on how symptoms of early onset dementia can differ from other types, including how it impacts a person's personality, spatial awareness and movement.
How does early onset dementia impact how you walk?
According to guidance, there are six key changes which could indicate a person is in the early stages of developing the disease.
These are (via Dementia UK):
- changes in gait – shuffling; slower walking speed; shorter strides
- issues with balance – falling, tripping
- clumsiness – bumping into things
- involuntary movement such as hand tremors or fixed eye movements
- loss of dexterity and mobility
- difficulty judging distances
The charity adds that the above symptoms are particularly associated with Parkinson's disease or Lewy body dementia.
What are the other symptoms of early onset dementia?
While issues with memory remain the most common symptom of dementia, there are other warning signs in young people, with includes changes to personality and decision making, changes in libido and a decline in personal hygiene standards.
Meanwhile, some patients can also experience difficulties with spatial awareness, including misjudging distances and hallucinations, as well as aphasia, which is an impaired ability with speech.
Symptoms of aphasia include hesitant or slurred speech, reduced communication, difficulties finding words and avoidance of communication.
If you've been affected by dementia or Alzheimer's and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact the Alzheimer’s Society via 0333 150 3456 or visit their website for more information.
Brenna Cooper