What is young-onset Alzheimer's?

Young-onset Alzheimer's is a form of the disease that affects individuals under the age of 65, in this case, Simon was diagnosed at 55.

Why was Simon's Alzheimer's diagnosis delayed?

Simon's early symptoms were dismissed by medical professionals and loved ones as stress or perimenopause, delaying his diagnosis for nearly four years.

How is Emma Ruscoe caring for her husband Simon?

Emma Ruscoe is Simon's primary caregiver, working from home to manage his advanced condition, which requires constant care and support.

Home / Lifestyle / Wife's Diary Reveals Husband's Hidden Alzheimer's Battle

Wife's Diary Reveals Husband's Hidden Alzheimer's Battle

28 Jan

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Summary

Husband Simon was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's at age 55.
Wife Emma battled for years to get a diagnosis for her husband.
Early signs of Simon's memory loss were dismissed as stress or menopause.

Wife's Diary Reveals Husband's Hidden Alzheimer's Battle

Emma Ruscoe discovered unsettling changes in her husband, Simon, around late 2015, years before his eventual diagnosis. What initially seemed like stress from his IT job became apparent as significant memory loss during a family holiday in Greece. Simon would repeat himself and then deny having had the conversation, causing arguments and frustration for Emma.

Despite Emma's growing concerns, medical professionals and even loved ones attributed her husband's symptoms to stress or her own perimenopause. Emma herself began to doubt her sanity, undergoing tests for menopause. This dismissal delayed Simon's diagnosis for nearly four years.

In early 2020, Simon, then 55, was officially diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's. While devastating, the diagnosis brought a sense of relief to Emma, who had fought for years to have her husband's condition recognized. The UK's average diagnosis time of three years for such cases was deemed 'disgusting' by Emma.