Alzheimer’s diagnosis at age 55 led to man setting up new dementia group

A man who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 55 has set up Fife’s first support group for those who suffer early onset dementia.

Gerald King, known as Gerry, found there were no groups at all for under-65s who have Alzheimer’s disease in Fife.

He co-founded a support network called Stand (Striving Towards a New Day), which helps those living with dementia and their families.

One of the sessions in Glenrothes has around 30 people attending, taking part in poetry, songwriting and art.

Now 62, Mr King said he had to retire from his career in architecture and give up his driving licence when he was diagnosed.

He had sought help after finding he was struggling to recall conversations.

He said: “The way the world saw me after my dementia diagnosis changed completely.”

Mr King said the stigma around dementia is difficult to live with, but he has made new friends as a result of the support network.

He said: “When I was diagnosed, all of my friends walked away from me because of the stigma surrounding dementia.

“They weren’t quite sure how to talk to me anymore, so they just decided not to bother.

“At first, that was incredibly hard to deal with, you lose not just your confidence, but your sense of self-worth. It’s not that I had changed overnight, but the way people saw me had.”

Being around others with dementia can help those with the condition live better lives, he said.

Mr King said: “Stand supports people who are worried about dementia, those going through the process of diagnosis, and people already diagnosed who aren’t sure where to turn, along with their families.

“Peer support is so important.

“If you receive support from people who are like-minded, who know exactly what you’re talking about, who don’t judge, that is a huge step towards dealing with dementia and living well with it.”

He added: “I’ve done amazing things since my diagnosis, things I would never have imagined, and I am absolutely adamant that has delayed the onset of my dementia because I have kept socially involved.

“If anyone has a loved one diagnosed with dementia, I recommend they get as much support as they can.

“You might not want it at the start, but when you’re ready, it will make a huge difference.”