Sharon Savage

This research focuses on improving care for people with younger onset dementia, a rare form of dementia affecting individuals under 65. By collaborating with global experts in London and Norwich, the project aims to facilitate the development of  practical guidelines and resources for implementing interventions tailored to people with younger onset dementia. This includes working on an adaptation of  the MiNDToolkit—a resource for managing dementia symptoms—and writing sections of a new  clinical handbook to support families and clinicians. 

The project will also engage with people living with younger onset dementia through the Rare Dementia Support Group to ensure their lived experiences shape the resources and interventions. By addressing unique challenges faced by individuals with younger onset dementia, such as parenting and financial strain, this work aims to bridge gaps in care and provide meaningful, evidence-based strategies to improve their quality of life.

Dr Sharon Savage is currently a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Newcastle.  Here she is involved in both research and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students about cognitive assessment, different types of dementia, and dementia risk reduction.