He was diagnosed with dementia at 52. Losing memories wasn't the hardest part
Richard Jamieson, a Prince Edward Island resident, shares his experience of being diagnosed with young-onset dementia at age 52. The article highlights the subtle, insidious nature of the disease and the emotional impact on his family.
Why it matters
Raising awareness about young-onset dementia is critical for early diagnosis and providing support for families navigating the condition.
Richard Jamieson thought he knew Charlottetown by heart.
Last year, he drove downtown to drop off some cheques. He parked, grabbed his Bank of Montreal deposit book and walked into what he was sure was the right branch.
"I said to myself, isn't it strange that the BMO has the Scotiabank sign across the top of the building," he told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.
"I proceeded to walk into the Scotiabank, believing in my mind it was the BMO … and waited in line until the teller said 'you're in the wrong bank.'"
The Prince Edward Island man was diagnosed with young-onset dementia at age 52, and moments like that were among the first signs something wasn't right. Richard's father, Howie, was also diagnosed with the condition at just 49.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in