Andre Yarham, aged 24, succumbed to his illness over the Christmas period following a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. His family is now actively raising awareness about the condition.
Hailing from Norfolk in the UK, Andre Yarham received the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) just before his 23rd birthday.
Frontotemporal dementia is a rarer form of dementia and encompasses various conditions that can influence a person’s personality, behavior, and language, as detailed by Alzheimer’s Society.
Andre’s family has shared their experiences about how FTD affected him, highlighting the initial symptoms they observed.
Samantha Fairbairn, Andre’s mother, explained to the BBC that she began to notice changes in Andre’s behavior in November 2022, which she later realized were symptoms of FTD.
She mentioned that after marrying Andre’s stepfather, Alastair, she noticed Andre’s forgetfulness and inappropriate behavior.
His mother also noted that he became forgetful, and when people spoke to him, he sometimes appeared blank or at other times ignored them as though he hadn’t heard anything.
Alzheimer’s Society illustrates that the ‘initial noticeable symptoms for someone with FTD include changes to their personality and behavior, or challenges with language’ and ‘sometimes both.’
“This differs significantly from early symptoms seen in more common forms of dementia,” it states.
The organization further elaborates: “For instance, early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease often include short-term memory issues. Many individuals with FTD don’t face significant memory problems at the early stages.”
Upon seeking medical advice, Andre was found to have unusual brain shrinkage, leading to his dementia diagnosis.
FTD affects individuals differently, but similar to most dementia types, symptoms progressively worsen over time.
Andre moved to a care home in September 2025, initially able to walk, but his condition rapidly deteriorated, requiring a wheelchair just a month later.
One month before his death, Andre lost his ability to speak, though Samantha mentioned he could still laugh.
She reflected: “One aspect it never took until the very end was his personality, his sense of humor, his laughter, and his smile.”
Andre passed away on December 27, and his family is sharing their story to educate others about the harsh reality of dementia.
His brain has been donated to research, with his family hoping it could provide insights into understanding dementia, preventing it, and potentially finding a cure.
Samantha expressed: “Dementia is a cruel disease. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. If in the future it can help another family have more time with their loved ones, then it would be worth it.”
A tribute page for Andre Yarham is collecting donations for The Maltings (FitzRoy), honoring their care for Andre.
If you’re affected by the issues discussed and seek confidential support, the Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline at 800.272.3900. Other contact options can be found on their website.
For confidential support following a bereavement, reach out to GrieveWell at (734) 975-0238 or email [email protected].