HD, Early Onset Dementia, ABI

Huntington's Disease (HD)
HD is an hereditary disorder of the central nervous system. HD usually develops in adulthood and can cause a very wide range of symptoms.  It affects both men and women.
 
The symptoms of HD usually develop when people are between 30-50 years old, although they can start much earlier or much later and can differ from person to person, even in the same family. 

HD also causes problems with the person's ability to think and reason.  Memory becomes impaired, as does concentration and skills that were once second nature become lost as the person's brain becomes unable to organise the small steps that every task we undertake requires. 

The changes in personality and behaviour are sometimes joined by mental ill health conditions.

Turning Point Scotland provides two services for people with HD in Glasgow and Aberdeen.

Early Onset Dementia
Dementia is the term used to describe the symptoms of a large group of illnesses which cause a progressive decline in a person's mental functioning.  It is a broad term which describes a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions.  The term early onset dementia, or younger onset dementia is usually used to describe people under the age of sixty five with any form of dementia.

Early onset dementia is a term that covers a range of diseases affecting memory and thinking in people under the age of 65.  This group have important medical and social needs that in the past have not always been met. 

The symptoms of early onset dementia are serious.  The sense of loss for the person with younger onset dementia and their family can be enormous.  Unplanned loss of income can be a major problem for families.  The loss of income can be made worse by the loss of the self esteem that usually comes with working, and the loss of a purpose in life. 

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
ABI is an injury to the brain that has occurred since birth.  The term includes non-traumatic brain injuries such as those listed below. 

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI), or head injury as it is commonly known
• Stroke
• Haemorrhage
• Encephalitis
• Meningitis

Useful LInks:

Care Commission                         http://www.carecommission.com/