In a profoundly tragic case, a young man believed to be the United Kingdom's youngest dementia patient has passed away at just 24 years old. Andre Yarham, from Dereham, lost his battle with an aggressive and rare form of the disease on December 27, spending his final days in a hospice.
A Devastating Diagnosis at 22
Andre's life was turned upside down when he received a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia at the age of 22. This specific condition is caused by a protein mutation and affects only a very small fraction of all dementia patients. His family first grew concerned after observing noticeable changes in his movement, speech, and general awareness.
Medical investigations revealed the shocking extent of the disease's progression. An MRI scan showed that Andre's brain had deteriorated to resemble that of a 70-year-old, a discovery made shortly before what would have been his 23rd birthday.
A Rapid and Heartbreaking Decline
Andre's condition worsened quickly in his final months. The vibrant young man, who loved wrestling, football, and video games, and had worked for the luxury car manufacturer Lotus in Norwich, was forced to leave his job due to his health. He eventually lost his ability to speak, faced significant movement struggles, and required full-time care.
After time in a nursing home, he was transferred to the Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice for his final weeks, where he died peacefully. His death places him among the tiny percentage of people in the UK diagnosed with dementia before the age of 65.
A Legacy of Hope Through Donation
Paying a moving tribute, his mother, Sam Fairburn, described Andre as having "a heart of gold." In a decision aimed at helping others, the family chose to donate his brain to medical science to advance research into this devastating disease.
"There's not enough awareness of how cruel this disease can be," Sam stated, emphasising that dementia manifests in different types, symptoms, and behaviours. She added, "We made the decision to donate Andre's brain to medical research. If in the future, Andre has been able to help just one more family have a precious few more years with a loved one, that would mean the absolute world."
The family has urged the public to seek medical advice early if they notice concerning changes in the behaviour or health of loved ones, stressing that early testing can make a critical difference.
