Activities for Early-Onset Dementia: Ideas for Working-Age Adults

Most dementia information assumes the person is in their seventies or eighties. For someone diagnosed in their forties or fifties, the day-to-day picture is different. They may still have a job, a mortgage, teenagers at home or a parent to look after. Activities should acknowledge that adult life. This guide covers what changes, what to try, and where partners and adult children can find support.

What is early-onset dementia?

Early-onset dementia is dementia that begins before age 65, sometimes called younger-onset. The Alzheimer’s Association’s blog describes Alzheimer’s as younger-onset when it affects a person under 65, and notes that caring for someone that young “comes with unique challenges.” The symptoms can be the same as in later life, but the person’s expectations, responsibilities and social life are not.

Because it is less common, people may wait longer for a diagnosis, and families may feel they have no one to talk to. Knowing that other people share the experience is often a relief.

Keep the adult in the activity

Adults with early-onset dementia usually do not want to be treated like children. The National Institute on Aging advises adapting activities to what a person can still do and enjoy. For someone in their fifties, that might mean:

• Keep a familiar hobby, such as woodworking, sport, cards, a book club or a choir, with a little help or a shorter session.
• Walk or cycle with a companion, on a route they know well.
• Cook a family meal, with the person doing the parts they can manage.
• Volunteer or help out in a role they choose, such as sorting donations or helping at a school event.
• Plan a trip to a place that matters to them, with a companion and a simple schedule.
• Spend time with grandchildren, nieces or nephews, sharing a game or a project.

Let the person choose. Asking “What would you like to do this afternoon?” is more respectful than picking for them.

Use music and memories from their own years

Music and photos from a person’s twenties, thirties and forties can bring up warm feelings and easy talk. Our music activities guide explains how to build a playlist, and reminiscence activities show how to share photos and stories without quizzing. For a more adult game, try conversation cards, with open prompts about work, travel, friends and family.

Photo pairs made from family photos can also work well, because the pictures are of people and places that matter to the person. Photo pairs keeps the photos in the browser on that device.

Work, driving and daily life

Many people with early-onset dementia are still working, driving or managing money. These are not activities in the usual sense, but they shape what the person can do. Talk with their doctor about driving and work safety, and consider whether they want help with finances or appointments. The aim is to protect dignity while keeping the person as involved as they want to be.

For guidance on daily routines and staying active, see a gentle daily routine and household tasks as activities.

Support for partners and adult children

Partners and adult children often feel isolated. Caregiving can feel like a second job on top of work and family. The Alzheimer’s Association’s blog post reports that caregivers in younger-onset groups found them helpful for practical issues like legal planning, and for simply feeling understood. It also notes that the Association runs free caregiver support groups, including groups for people caring for someone with younger-onset dementia, and three of them meet virtually on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

To ask about groups, call the Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. Our caregiver self-care guide covers rest, respite and signs of burnout.

Stages still matter

The person’s stage of dementia still shapes what helps. Early on, most people can do their usual activities with some changes, and our early-stage activities guide has more ideas. Later on, activities become simpler and more sensory, as described in late-stage activities. Change the activity as the person changes, and ask them what they want whenever they can say.