UK’s youngest dementia sufferer, 24, dies after ‘cruel’ illness gave him 70-year-old brain
Andre Yarham, from Dereham in Norfolk, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia due to a protein mutation a month before his 23rd birthday, has now sadly died aged 24
Andre Yarham, Britain’s youngest dementia sufferer, has died at the age of 24(Image: Samantha Fairbairn / SWNS)
Britain’s youngest dementia patient, who possessed the brain of a 70-year-old, has tragically passed away aged just 24.
Britain’s youngest dementia patient, who possessed the brain of a 70-year-old, has tragically passed away aged just 24.
Andre Yarham received the devastating diagnosis of early-onset dementia after relatives spotted he was moving and talking at an unusually slow pace
Doctors confirmed he had frontotemporal dementia caused by a protein mutation just one month shy of his 23rd birthday.
Frontotemporal dementia represents a uncommon variant of the condition, affecting roughly one in 20 individuals diagnosed with dementia.
Andre, from Dereham in Norfolk, died on December 27 in a hospice after succumbing to an infection.
His mother Sam Fairbairn, 49, has honoured her son’s memory by describing him as possessing a ‘heart of gold’ and has generously donated his brain to scientific research in the fight against this ‘cruel’ illness.
She said: “Andre was a cheeky lad with a great sense of humour. He had a heart of gold.
“There’s not enough awareness of how cruel this disease can be. There are different types of dementia, different symptoms and different behaviours.
“We made the decision to donate Andre’s brain to medical research.
“If in the future, if 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.”
Andre, pictured with his mum, passed away on December 27 in a hospice following an infection. (Image: Samantha Fairbairn / SWNS)
Sam explained that Andre started becoming absent-minded in 2022 and would display a vacant expression when addressed.
On occasions, he would completely disregard someone attempting to communicate with him, appearing as though he hadn’t registered their words at all.
Sam received the devastating news from a consultant in 2023 following an MRI scan that revealed her son possessed the brain of a 70-year-old and was suffering from early-onset dementia.
Andre depended entirely on his mum as his full-time carer, requiring assistance with bathing, meal preparation and selecting his clothing.
The young man from Norwich, Norfolk, became part of just 0.1% of the UK population to be diagnosed with a form of dementia before reaching 65.
Andre, aged 8, as his heartbroken mum paid tribute to her ‘cheeky lad’(Image: Sam Fairbairn / SWNS)
Sam described receiving her son’s diagnosis as a “devastating blow” and acknowledged the immense strain it placed on the entire family.
She revealed: “Andre got his official diagnosis just before his 23rd birthday.
“In that time, his speech went totally. He was just making noises. The last six months was when we started to see a very rapid decline.
“He was moving less and less. Andre was struggling to feed himself, pick up a cup, becoming very unsteady.
“We had to make the hard decision to move him into a nursing home which he went into at the beginning of the September.
“He walked into his room which we’d all decorated for him. Within a month he was in a wheelchair and had to be hoisted.”
In December 2025, Andre was rushed to hospital suffering from an infection.
His mother Sam Fairbairn paid tribute to her son who had a ‘heart of gold’(Image: Samantha Fairbairn / SWNS)
Sam explained: “That was the start of a very rapid decline. He became less aware of us being there.
“Andre stopped eating and drinking and we were then told he was on end of life.”
Following three weeks in hospital, Andre was transferred to Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice.
He remained there for just over a week before passing away on December 27.
Sam and Andre’s relatives have donated the young man’s brain to scientific research in the hope it will advance dementia studies.
Mum Sam concluded: “If people do have concerns about loved ones and their memories, there are tests available and go to your GP.
“We want to thank everyone who has shown us love and support with Andre’s journey.”
