Life with younger onset dementia

Judy and Chris Duke don’t wallow in their misery; they encourage each other.

Since being diagnosed with younger onset dementia about two years ago, Judy, 56, believes a ‘woe is me’ attitude can only last so long.

“When I was first diagnosed, I thought my life had gone and that I wouldn’t be able to do anything… but I feel like I’m doing something good now,” she tells DPS News.

As a former art teacher, Judy (pictured with husband, Chris) has immersed herself in abstract art post diagnosis and has even displayed her work at various exhibitions.

A recent exhibition, which had seen two thirds of Judy’s work sold, was centred on the celebration of life, complete with bursts of bright colours and joy.

Despite moments of lapses in memory and sometimes needing to be guided by her husband, Judy speaks to us with elation and laughter.

Chris, now his wife’s full time carer after retiring from work soon after her diagnosis, also exudes positivity.

“Although Judy had a very negative diagnosis, she can still see purpose and happiness in her life,” he says.

The former financial planner admits everything he had been involved in up until about a year ago required planning for the future, but these days, he has learnt to “live in the moment”.

“The other thing I’m learning is that adversity happens to the majority of people; it’s how we react which matters most. Sometimes you can get very angry with life and other people, but you need to have faith,” he says.

Maintaining a degree of normality in life also helps.

“I think you’ve got to enjoy the moments you have together. Life has to be normal.”

After 34 years of marriage, triumphs, love and a devastating diagnosis which will likely one day entirely steal the memories of his wife, Chris admits one thing.

“Judy is still the same person. While I take the lead a bit more than I used to, I’ll still always need her input in certain decisions,” he says.

“You just have to carry on with life… life still continues,” Judy adds.

An online national resource, allowing Australians living with younger onset dementia to share their stories and connect with others in similar situations, was launched by Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria last week. The forum can be accessed at the Talk Dementia website.