Addressing Emotional Distress in Dyads of Persons With a Young Onset Dementia (YOD) and Their Care-partners

The purpose of the present investigation is to test the efficacy of a virtual, brief (6 sessions) dyadic (patient and care-partner together) intervention to prevent chronic emotional distress in dyads where one person is diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (YOD). Through this study, we seek to address the unmet need of preventing chronic emotional distress in YOD dyads through a feasible, acceptable and credible program, and ideally enhance resiliency and improve wellbeing and quality of life in both members of the dyad.

Inclusion Criteria: Patient Criteria: * 40 years of age or older * Diagnosis of young-onset dementia (FTD, PPA, AD, PCA, etc.) with symptom onset prior to age 65 or evidence of familial AD onset up to age 70 * Received YOD diagnosis in the past 10 months * English fluency and literacy * Cognitive ability to understand study and research protocol in order to consent to participation in intervention per referring neurologist and/or consent teach back questions * Must have a care-partner willing to participate Care-Partner Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * Care-partner to person diagnosed with young-onset dementia (FTD, PPA, AD, PCA, etc.) * English fluency and literacy Dyad Criteria: (Both Patient and Care-Partner): -At least one dyad member reports elevated emotional distress (HADS\>7) Exclusion Criteria: * An additional, terminal diagnosis such as cancer * Unwillingness to participate and use zoom for video conferencing * Current untreated or unstable severe mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or active substance use