Skip to main content

Younger onset dementia: the facts

Younger onset dementia, sometimes called early onset dementia, is any form of dementia diagnosed in people under the age of 65. Learn the facts for people living with younger onset dementia, their families, friends and carers.

Two women, a child and a baby sit together on a couch with a cat.

What you need to know about younger onset dementia

  • Dementia is a brain condition that can affect your thinking, mood, behaviour and movement.
  • If you get a diagnosis of dementia when you’re younger than 65, it’s called younger onset dementia.
  • Younger onset dementia isn’t a type of dementia, it just describes how old you were when you got your diagnosis. It’s possible to have younger onset Alzheimer’s disease, younger onset vascular dementia, and more.
  • Younger onset dementia can have many causes. It’s possible to have one or more conditions that lead to dementia.
  • In 2025 there are an estimated 29,000 people in Australia living with younger onset dementia. This figure is expected to increase to an estimated 41,000 people by 2054.
  • People often lead active and fulfilling lives for many years after their diagnosis of younger onset dementia.
  • Currently there is no single test to tell if a person has younger onset dementia. Doctors will usually conduct several different kinds of tests to make a diagnosis.
  • There’s no known cure for younger onset dementia yet, but some there are ways to treat some symptoms and manage the condition. Researchers are working all over the world, looking for new treatments, and progress is being made.
  • Because dementia is rarer in younger people, it can often go unnoticed. Noticing early signs and symptoms and talking to your doctor as soon as possible helps. The sooner you know, the more you can do.

“Younger onset dementia” or “early onset dementia”

Younger onset dementia is sometimes called “early onset dementia”. Both terms mean the same thing: dementia that's diagnosed when you’re younger than 65. At Dementia Australia, we use the term younger onset dementia.

Diagnosis, treatment and support

If you're under 65 when you're diagnosed with dementia, your experience and needs can be very different. When you’re diagnosed, you might still be working, raising a family, driving and active in your community.

If you have a partner, they might need to take on extra roles supporting you while also raising children and managing finances. This may lead to reducing work hours or giving up work altogether.

Dementia Australia is here for you. Visit our younger onset section to find information, advice and support tailored for you.

Dementia expert webinar: Younger onset dementia

In this webinar, Professor Dennis Velakoulis explains the most common forms of dementia in younger people, including symptoms and progression. He also explores the common challenges faced with diagnosis and provides an overview of treatments and support.

You’ll learn about:

  • younger onset dementia and what it is
  • the differences observed with younger onset dementia
  • common symptoms and challenges with diagnosis.
Dementia expert webinar: younger onset dementia, with Prof Dennis Velakoulis

Dementia expert webinar: younger onset dementia and the caring role

In this webinar, Dr Wendy Kelso, discusses positive and negative emotions and the importance of well-being for people caring for someone with younger onset dementia.

You will learn:

  • how the caring role is unique in younger onset dementia
  • how to equip yourself with strategies and knowledge to assist with providing care to loved ones
  • how to ensure that your own self care is maintained and valued.
Dementia expert webinar: younger onset dementia and the caring role, with Dr Wendy Kelso
Share or print
Last updated
1 April 2025