Home Entertainment Anne-Marie Duff opens up about her brother Eddie’s shock young-onset dementia diagnosis in his 40s – as she emotionally recalls how he couldn’t comprehend that he wouldn’t recover

Anne-Marie Duff opens up about her brother Eddie’s shock young-onset dementia diagnosis in his 40s – as she emotionally recalls how he couldn’t comprehend that he wouldn’t recover

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Anne-Marie Duff has opened up to The Sunday Times about her brother Eddie's shocking early-onset dementia diagnosis.

Anne-Marie Duff has opened up about her brother Eddie’s shocking early-onset dementia diagnosis.

The Shameless star’s brother, now 56, was diagnosed with the incurable disease nine years ago when he was 40, although she believes symptoms began 14 years ago.

Anne-Marie said Sunday weather that he had noticed that Eddie was struggling to cope: arriving late for work or taking the wrong bus, and eventually losing his job as an investigator.

She couldn’t understand why he couldn’t “get it together” and wondered if it was alcohol, drugs or if he needed psychiatric help.

But she never thought she would have young-onset dementia, where people develop this devastating condition before the age of 65.

Anne-Marie shared her sadness as she recalled how Eddie struggled to accept or understand his incurable diagnosis at the time and spoke as if he would eventually recover.

Anne-Marie Duff has opened up to The Sunday Times about her brother Eddie’s shocking early-onset dementia diagnosis.

The Shameless star's brother, now 56, was diagnosed with the incurable disease nine years ago when he was 40, although she believes symptoms began 14 years ago.

The Shameless star’s brother, now 56, was diagnosed with the incurable disease nine years ago when he was 40, although she believes symptoms began 14 years ago.

“It was sad, because I couldn’t accept it and I couldn’t fully understand it – it’s quite aggressive when it appears very early,” Anne-Marie said.

Eddie had no job, partner or children to care for him when he received the devastating diagnosis nine years ago, so he was moved into state-funded supportive housing.

However, Anne-Marie said Eddie’s condition has improved and he, now 56, needs hard-to-find specialist accommodation with 24-hour care.

The actress said her brother needs to be in safe accommodation because “he’s leaving.” She has power over him.

But even as her condition worsens, Anne-Marie and her family still find moments of joy and manage to laugh together.

“You will get precious memories, even if they are cobwebs,” he said.

He also shared that it’s heartwarming to see his parents take care of him again like they would have when he was a child, adding, “Just seeing them continue to be parents and shave him, things like that are so beautiful.”

Anne-Marie spoke about Eddie’s condition on BBC Woman’s Hour in December.

Anne-Marie told The Sunday Times she had noticed Eddie struggling to cope - arriving late for work or taking the wrong bus, and eventually losing his job as an investigator.

Anne-Marie told The Sunday Times she had noticed Eddie struggling to cope – arriving late for work or taking the wrong bus, and eventually losing his job as an investigator.

But she never thought she would have early-onset dementia, in which people develop this devastating condition before age 65.

But she never thought she would have early-onset dementia, in which people develop this devastating condition before age 65.

He told the BBC’s Nuala McGovern: “We’re at a point where it’s going to need a lot more attention, so we’re asking for that, so we’re going through that difficult process.” And my heart goes out to anyone who is going through the administration and logistics of all of that.

“I’d say he’s been living with this for about 14 years and he’s only a couple of years older than me, which tells you how young he was, and he got his diagnosis about eight or nine years ago.

“So yeah, it’s very, very difficult because you’re watching someone slowly disappear before your eyes.”

She continued: ‘But love doesn’t go away and I would say that’s one of the gifts of all of this, is that love is so present in the room. There’s an unspoken version of your relationship that exists in another… it’s almost like a completely different element. It’s so beautiful.

Anne-Marie spoke about Eddie's condition on BBC Woman's Hour in December.

He told the BBC's Nuala McGovern:

Anne-Marie spoke about Eddie’s condition on BBC Woman’s Hour in December.

“He doesn’t know who I am, but he knows that I love him, which is very interesting… but I know the effect it has on a family.”

Anne-Marie went on to praise the charity: ‘I mean the Alzheimer’s Society and all those organizations are phenomenal.

“And again, I always beat my drum and say if you’re going through something, if you’re a caregiver or even someone living with Alzheimer’s, please call them if you have any questions or concerns, or even just to talk.” They are incredible.

“We all have someone in our lives, don’t we, who lives with some version of dementia.”

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?

Dementia is a general term used to describe a variety of neurological disorders.

Dementia is a general term used to describe a variety of neurological disorders.

A GLOBAL CONCERN

Dementia is a general term used to describe a variety of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.

There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own way.

Dementia is a global concern, but is seen more frequently in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live to a very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports that there are currently more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to increase to 1.6 million by 2040.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of those diagnosed.

In the United States, there are an estimated 5.5 million Alzheimer’s patients. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, the risk of developing dementia also increases.

Diagnosis rates are improving, but it is believed that many people with dementia are still undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

There is currently no cure for dementia.

But new medications can slow its progression and the earlier it is detected, the more effective the treatments can be.

Source: Alzheimer’s Society

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