Here, Twickenham resident Martin Thow shares what it’s like to live with young-onset Alzheimer’s — and how a pioneering Crossroads Care support group is bringing hope, help, and connection to people like him and their carers.
‘When I was first diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s at age 63, I wasn’t surprised. I was still working in film editing — something I loved and wanted to go on doing until my seventies, but I was slipping, losing my words and my ability to build stories. I was blagging my way through jobs that I used to do well. Even though the doctors thought it was long Covid, I knew it was something else.
‘Getting the diagnosis brought momentary relief, but seconds later, the fear set in. What was I going to do? I could no longer work; I didn’t have savings and I had rent to pay. My partner, Marion, lives in Germany caring for her parents, so I was alone with this.
‘What followed was a rollercoaster. Some people at the Job Centre didn’t understand what Alzheimer’s was. The benefits system felt like a wall of tick boxes. I started selling my collection of first edition books and film posters to get by.
‘There is very little support out there for people with young-onset dementia. The few groups I tried were for older people and I didn’t fit in. I found one group that was for younger people, but after a few weeks, it was cut and there was nothing else for me.
‘A turning point came in January 2025, when I spoke in front of 300 people at the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRUT) Dementia Conference. In the audience was someone who could help from Crossroads Care.
‘Nicola Wilson, the charity’s operations manager, listened with warmth and care. And when I visited the charity’s Teddington Head Office, I finally felt understood and truly supported. Nicola helped me apply for grants and introduced me to the charity’s massage therapy service which eased my low mood and chronic sciatica.
‘Now, thanks to funding from LBRUT, Crossroads Care has launched a weekly support group for people with young-onset dementia and their carers.
‘Led by clients, the group offers tailored support — from financial and legal guidance to mindfulness sessions and day trips. It’s a space where people like me, and those who support them, can feel seen, supported, and connected.’
