Dementia is not often a big issue for younger generations; it becomes a problem as we start to age. It is a cognitive degenerative condition that affects our memory, behavior as well as the way we think. However, many times the signs and symptoms of the same can show up earlier than usual as well. While dementia may not be a big concern for younger people, early onset dementia could still be an issue. The Alzheimer’s Society explains that young people who are at risk of early on-set dementia have a wide array of symptoms. Another way to identify it is this simple 30 second test. Simple 30-Second Test for Early Dementia A quick and easy test, sometimes called the "clock test," is getting attention. It might help spot early signs of dementia. You just need a pen, paper, and a timer, and it takes less than a minute. Dr. Eric Berg DC showed how to do it in a video: you just have to draw a clock showing 10 minutes past 11 o'clock within 30 seconds. How to Check Your Drawing After you draw the clock, you can check it yourself using six simple questions: Were any numbers mixed up?Did you write all 12 numbers?Were they spaced out evenly?Were the clock hands pointing the right way?Were the hour and minute hands the correct length?Did you have enough time to finish?Dr. Berg says this simple test is "one of the most sensitive ways to spot early thinking problems." Some brain doctors even think it's "more accurate than memory tests." What is Early-Onset Dementia? Early-onset dementia means someone gets dementia symptoms before they turn 65. Even though dementia is usually seen in older people, it can, though rarely, affect younger people too. Dr. Berg also talked about other things that might lead to dementia as we get older. He said that eating too much sugar could make the brain shrink, especially the part important for memory. Also, being stressed a lot might increase the chance of having thinking problems like dementia. The Alzheimer's Society says that at the beginning, the symptoms of early-onset dementia are often mild and not easy to notice. It's also important that younger people with dementia might not lose their memory first, unlike older people. Instead, they might mostly have trouble with: Speaking or understanding languageSeeing thingsBehavioral changesMovement, balance, and coordinationEarly-onset dementia is also more likely to be passed down in families. For more information, you can visit the Alzheimer's Society website. How Dementia Differs in Younger People Diverse Causes For younger people, a wider range of different diseases can lead to dementia, making the causes more varied than in older individuals. Rarer Forms Younger individuals are much more likely to develop rarer types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which is less common in older patients. Varied Early Symptoms Unlike older people, younger individuals with dementia often don't experience memory loss as their first symptom, but rather problems with language, vision, or behavior. Movement Issues Additionally, younger people with dementia might first notice difficulties with movement, balance, and coordination, which can be an early indicator of the condition. Higher Inherited Risk About one in ten younger people diagnosed with dementia have a form that is inherited, meaning it's passed down through their genes. Fewer Other Health Problems Many younger individuals who receive a dementia diagnosis typically don't have other serious or chronic long-term health conditions at that time. Unique Life Concerns A younger diagnosis brings specific worries about its impact on family, relationships, finances, and daily life, affecting their ongoing responsibilities and future plans. Family Risk Worries They may also be concerned that their children or siblings could have a higher risk of developing dementia due to the inherited nature of their condition.