Their Son Died With Dementia at 24 and His Family Wants Others to Recognize the Early Changes
Guest Contributor
Young-onset dementia is often described in statistics and medical terms, yet those numbers feel different when attached to a single life. In the case of 24-year-old Andre Yarham, young-onset dementia and, more specifically, frontotemporal dementia, arrived quietly and then moved with devastating speed. His story, shared by his family after his death, offers a stark and compassionate look at how this uncommon condition can unfold in a person who is barely into adulthood.
Andre lived in Dereham, Norfolk, and by all accounts his family expected the usual ups and downs that come with early adulthood. Instead, in November 2022, his mother, Samantha Fairbairn, began to notice small but troubling changes. Reports describe subtle shifts at first: forgetfulness that did not match his personality, and behaviour that felt inappropriate or out of character. These were not the classic signs many people associate with dementia, such as repeatedly misplacing objects or forgetting close relatives. They were small deviations that kept reappearing in daily life.
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Those first changes were easy to misinterpret. Behaviour that seems odd or insensitive can be written off as stress, burnout, or immaturity, especially in a young adult. In Andre’s case, his family noticed moments when he appeared to stare blankly during conversations or seemed not to hear a question at all. These experiences can be deeply frustrating for loved ones. They can spark arguments or accusations of not listening, long before anyone thinks of a neurological cause. As time passed, it became harder for his family to explain away what they were seeing.
Eventually, doctors ordered brain scans. Reporting on Andre’s case notes that the scans revealed unusual shrinkage in his brain. That structural change prompted referral for specialist assessment, and clinicians at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge diagnosed frontotemporal dementia, often abbreviated to FTD. At the time of admission he could still walk, but according to his mother, his mobility declined rapidly. By September 2025, his family made the painful decision to move him into a care home. Within weeks he needed a wheelchair, and about a month before his death he lost the ability to speak. He died on December 27, 2025, following infection and a period of rapid deterioration. Samantha later described dementia as a “cruel disease,” a phrase that captures both the speed and the helplessness families often report.
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Andre’s story also highlights what “young-onset dementia” means in practical terms. Alzheimer’s Society defines young-onset dementia as dementia that begins before age 65. It estimates that more than 70,800 people in the UK are living with young-onset dementia, a figure that many find surprisingly high. These cases include several different diagnoses, among them Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Behind those labels are people who may be working full-time, raising children, or just beginning their adult lives. A diagnosis at 45 can disrupt a career and parenting. A diagnosis at 24 can remove independence almost entirely, and Andre’s experience makes that risk deeply visible.
Although young-onset dementia is rare, its rarity creates blind spots. Alzheimer’s Disease International notes that about 1 in 1000 people under 65 develop dementia. Many clinicians will see only a few cases across their careers unless they work in specialist services. Families might explain early symptoms as exhaustion or mental health challenges. Employers might view behaviour changes as performance problems or misconduct. Friends might interpret personality shifts as a phase or a crisis. This pattern can delay assessment and, with it, access to specialist advice and support.
Frontotemporal dementia, the condition identified in Andre’s case, is a particularly challenging cause of young-onset dementia because it does not always start with obvious memory problems. FTD involves progressive damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These regions are central to social judgment, decision-making, and language. When they are affected, a person might struggle with impulse control, appropriate behaviour, or communication, while still recalling recent events relatively well. That mismatch can be confusing. A young adult may remember appointments yet make startlingly poor choices at work or in relationships. In Andre’s early stages, family members noticed both behavioural shifts and forgetfulness, a combination that fits how FTD often presents.
The NHS describes frontotemporal dementia as an uncommon type of dementia that causes problems with behaviour and language. It explains that FTD is associated with clumps of abnormal proteins forming inside brain cells. These protein changes damage cells and gradually break down the networks that support self-control and communication. Over time, movement can also be affected. Specialist organisations point out that in some forms of FTD, memory can remain relatively intact at first. This can create a powerful illusion of normality in brief encounters. Someone may sound fine during a short appointment, yet at home their judgment and social understanding have already changed in ways that are hard to manage.
Early signs of FTD often center on behaviour and language rather than memory. Alzheimer’s Society notes that these initial symptoms can include changes in personality, reduced empathy, unusual bluntness, or disinhibited comments. They may also include difficulties finding words or following conversations. Because FTD tends to start earlier than more common dementias, those around the person may infer stress, depression, substance use, or deliberate misbehaviour. These explanations feel more plausible in someone in their 20s or 30s than a neurodegenerative disease. Yet that assumption can delay referrals to neurology or memory services and can add layers of shame, anger, and misunderstanding at home. Andre’s family later described shifts that simply did not resemble who he had been, a description that resonates closely with FTD resources from dementia charities.
Diagnosis takes time, particularly in younger adults whose symptoms overlap with psychiatric conditions. The US National Institute on Aging notes that FTD can be hard to diagnose because its symptoms resemble those of mood disorders such as depression. Clinicians often begin with a detailed history and neurological examination, sometimes involving close relatives who can describe day-to-day changes. Blood tests are typically used to rule out other causes. Brain imaging, such as MRI, can reveal atrophy in the frontal or temporal lobes, as it did in Andre’s case. Research on young-onset dementia has documented an average diagnostic delay measured in years rather than months, during which families may struggle without clear answers.
Genetics is another question that often arises when dementia strikes so early. Alzheimer’s Society reports that young-onset dementia is more likely than later-onset forms to have an inherited component, although even then it accounts for only a minority of cases. In Andre’s situation, public reporting described a protein mutation associated with his type of FTD. Specialist centers such as the UCSF Memory and Aging Center explain that some forms of genetic FTD are passed down in a dominant pattern, which means a 50 percent chance that a mutation is inherited by each child. Not every family with young-onset dementia will face this issue, but when there is a strong family history, genetic counselling and testing can help relatives understand risks and options. These decisions are complex and emotional, and many families benefit from professional guidance.
As symptoms progress, the practical realities of care become central. Behaviour change, apathy, and poor judgment can appear long before severe forgetfulness, and they can place immense strain on relationships. Caregivers often need to find ways to keep the person safe financially and physically, sometimes restricting access to large sums of money or stepping in to manage housing and bills. Over time, mobility and communication may also decline. In Andre’s case, his rapid transition from walking independently to using a wheelchair, and then to losing speech, underlines how quickly needs can escalate. Planning for legal matters, employment, driving, and future care is important early on, even if the diagnosis feels recent or uncertain.
Andre’s family chose to donate his brain after his death so that researchers could study one of the youngest documented cases of FTD. This decision, although personal and deeply emotional, also has broader implications. Organisations such as Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Alzheimer’s Association highlight that a single donated brain can provide tissue for many research studies. By examining brain tissue, scientists can connect specific symptoms with changes in cells and proteins. In conditions like FTD, where abnormal proteins play a central role, this type of research can clarify how disease begins and progresses and may guide future treatments or diagnostic tests. Andre’s donation transforms his private experience into knowledge that could help other families and, in time, may improve care.
For families who notice persistent change in a younger adult, Andre’s story carries a powerful message. Age does not automatically rule out dementia. When behaviour, language, or judgment shifts progressively over months, it is reasonable to seek medical advice and to return for review if symptoms continue to worsen. Keeping notes of specific examples and timelines can be invaluable during appointments. Early diagnosis cannot reverse the condition, but it can open doors to support, benefits, work accommodations, and planning. Andre’s family have spoken publicly to challenge the assumption that dementia is only an older person’s disease and to encourage others to push for answers when something feels wrong. Their openness, and their choice to contribute to research, may help other families recognise the first signs of young-onset dementia sooner and feel less alone when they do.