The family of Andre Yarham, a 24-year-old from Norfolk, England, is speaking out following his death to help raise awareness about frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—a rare neurological condition that is often misunderstood and commonly associated with older adults.
Andre passed away shortly after Christmas, on December 27, after living with the disease for just over a year. His loved ones now hope that sharing his story will help others recognize the early symptoms of dementia, particularly in younger people.
Diagnosed at Just 22 Years Old
Andre was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia shortly before his 23rd birthday. FTD is a less common form of dementia that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, areas responsible for personality, behavior, and language.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, FTD is an umbrella term for several conditions that primarily impact how a person behaves, communicates, and interacts with others—rather than memory, which is more commonly affected in Alzheimer’s disease.
Early Behavioral Changes Raised Concern
Andre’s mother, Samantha Fairbairn, recalled first noticing subtle but concerning changes in her son in November 2022. At the time, she had recently married Andre’s stepfather, Alastair, and began observing shifts in Andre’s behavior that felt out of character.
She described episodes of increasing forgetfulness, inappropriate behavior, and moments when Andre seemed disengaged. At times, he appeared unresponsive when spoken to, staring blankly or failing to acknowledge that someone was addressing him.
Looking back, Samantha now recognizes these changes as early warning signs of frontotemporal dementia.
How FTD Differs From Other Dementias
Health experts explain that FTD often presents differently than more common forms of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Society notes that the earliest symptoms typically involve personality changes, behavioral issues, or language difficulties, and in some cases, a combination of these.
This contrasts with Alzheimer’s disease, where early symptoms are usually linked to short-term memory loss. Many individuals with FTD do not experience significant memory problems in the early stages, which can delay diagnosis—especially in younger patients.
Rapid Health Decline
When Andre’s family sought medical evaluation, scans revealed abnormal brain shrinkage, leading to his diagnosis. As with many neurological disorders, his condition progressively worsened over time.
In September 2025, Andre moved into a care home. While he was still able to walk at the time, his physical health declined rapidly, and he eventually required a wheelchair. About a month before his death, he lost the ability to speak.
Despite the progression of the disease, his mother shared that Andre’s personality remained present. “You could still hear him laugh,” she said, adding that his sense of humor and smile stayed with him until the very end.
Turning Grief Into Awareness and Research
Andre died at the age of 24, leaving his family determined to use their loss to help others. They have since chosen to donate his brain to medical science to support ongoing dementia research and improve understanding of rare neurological conditions.
Samantha described dementia as a devastating illness, saying she would not wish it on anyone. She expressed hope that increased research could one day give families more time with their loved ones.
“If this can help even one family get a few more years together,” she said, “then it would mean everything.”
Honoring Andre’s Legacy
A tribute page has been created in Andre Yarham’s name to raise funds and continue spreading awareness about young-onset dementia and the importance of early diagnosis.
As his family navigates this profound loss, they hope Andre’s story will encourage others to pay attention to early symptoms and support continued investment in medical research and neurological health awareness.
Our thoughts remain with Andre’s family during this difficult time.