Young-onset dementia (YOD) patients and their caregivers face unique challenges. We aimed to determine the characteristics of YOD patients compared to late-onset dementia (LOD) patients referred to a rural and remote memory clinic in Western Canada.

YOD is defined as the onset of dementia symptoms before the age of 65 and accounts for 2-8% of dementia. The unexpected nature of YOD often causes high levels of financial and social burden on YOD patients and their caregivers.

A total of 333 consecutive patients (YOD=61, LOD=272) at a rural and remote memory clinic between March 2004 and July 2016 were included in this study. Each patient had their Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scored. Patients and their caregivers were also given a questionnaire which measured health, mood, behavior, burden, symptom severity, functional ability, and social factors. The two groups were compared using χ² tests and independent sample tests.

YOD patients were more likely to be married, employed, current smokers, and highly educated. They reported fewer cognitive symptoms, but had more depressive symptoms. Their self-rated independence was similar to LOD patients, but their caregivers perceived them to be more independent. YOD patients were less likely to live alone and use homecare services. Both YOD and LOD patient groups were equally likely to have a driver’s license. YOD caregivers were also more likely to be a spouse and had higher levels of distress than LOD caregivers.

The differences between YOD and LOD patients indicate that these two groups have distinct characteristics and that services must be modified to better meet YOD patient needs. In particular, the use of homecare services and caregiver support may alleviate the higher levels of distress found in YOD patients and their caregivers. Additional research should be directed to addressing YOD patient depression, caregiver distress, and barriers to services.