The announcement that actress Pauline Quirke has stepped back from acting following her dementia diagnosis aged 61 (diagnosis in 2021) has received extensive media coverage and prompted a renewed focus on young onset dementia.
Pauline and her husband, Steve, have pledged future support for Alzheimer’s Research UK. You can read a statement on the ARUK website here: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news/actress-pauline-quirke-diagnosed-with-dementia/
As part of the coverage, Teresa Davies (aka Dory), who is living with dementia, talked to Jason Mohammad on BBC Radio Wales about young onset dementia and the value of peer support. You can hear a recording of the interview (and read a transcript) via Dementia Diaries: https://dementiadiaries.org/entry/22648/dory-talks-with-jason-mohammed-on-bbc-radio-wales-about-early-onset-dementia-and-the-value-of-peer-support/. In the interview Dory talks about LikedMinded, a DEEP group, which you can find out more about here: https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk/group/likeminded-mold/).
Alzheimer’s Society’s coverage of Pauline Quirke’s diagnosis, focusing on young onset dementia, is here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/2025-01-22/advice-supporting-people-young-onset-dementia-pauline-quirke-diagnosis