Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a complex and rare neurological disorder that can affect your loved one’s cognitive and functional abilities.
As there’s currently no cure for FTD, understanding the available treatment and care options is essential for managing the symptoms of the disease and improving the quality of life for loved one’s with FTD and their caregivers.
In this article, we’ll explore the treatment and care methods available for frontotemporal dementia, including medication, therapy, and support resources.
Recognizing frontotemporal dementia symptoms
Frontotemporal dementia is a rare form of dementia that affects people primarily in their mid-50s and late-60s.
FTD impacts the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. They’re responsible for many of our higher-level cognitive functions, such as decision-making, planning, reasoning, and processing hearing and speech.
You may have heard of primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a subtype of FTD that primarily affects the brain’s language areas.
Recently, movie star Bruce Willis made news after announcing that he was experiencing primary progressive aphasia, which ultimately resulted in a more specific diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia a few months later.
The symptoms of FTD include:
- Changes in social behavior
- Compulsive or repetitive behaviors, such as hoarding, eating non-food items, or wandering
- Inappropriate language or actions or gestures
- Loss of executive function, such as poor decision-making or planning
The symptoms of primary progressive aphasia (PPC) include:
- Difficulty with language, such as finding the right words or understanding spoken sounds, is referred to as “word blindness”
- Impaired grammar or syntax
- Difficulty with spelling or reading
- Impaired comprehension of written or spoken language
The different subtypes of frontotemporal dementia
Currently, there are three main subtypes of FTD: behavior variant (bvFTD), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), and nonfluent-agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA).
Behavior variant (bvFTD)
This is the most common subtype, accounting for 50-60% of all FTD cases. It’s characterized by behavior, personality, and regulation changes, which may result in apathy, disinhibition, or lack of empathy.
Semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA)
This is characterized by language difficulties, such as difficulty finding words, comprehension of words, and not being able to recognize objects, faces, or words.
Nonfluent-agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA)
Similar to svPPA, people with nfvPPA have difficulty understanding the grammar and syntax of a language, making it harder to produce or comprehend complex sentences.
Frontotemporal dementia treatment options
Currently, there is no cure for frontotemporal dementia. However, there are several treatment options available to manage its symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected by the disease.
Medications for FTD
While there is no specific medication that can cure or slow down FTD, there are medications prescribed to manage the symptoms.
For example, antidepressants can be used to manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, which include SSRIs and SNRIs. Antipsychotic medications may be used to manage agitation or aggression, which may be symptoms caused by FTD.
Non-pharmacological interventions for FTD
Physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupation therapy can be effective in managing the symptoms of FTD without the side effects of medication.
Lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and engaging in social activities can help improve overall well-being and quality of life for those with FTD.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help people with FTD maintain their mobility and independence. Physical therapists develop customized exercise programs to address specific needs, such as improving balance, coordination, and strength.
Speech therapy
Speech therapy is beneficial for people with FTD who have difficulty with language skills, such as finding the right words, impaired grammar, or difficulty understanding spoken or written language.
Speech therapists work with individuals to perform exercises to improve speech production, comprehension, and expression and address swallowing difficulties that affect some individuals with FTD.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy helps individuals with FTD manage their daily activities and maintain a sense of purpose. Occupational therapists work to develop plans that include adaptive techniques, such as simplifying tasks and breaking them down into smaller steps to manage behavioral changes caused by FTD.
Caregiving for FTD patients: resources and online guides
Caregiving loved ones with frontotemporal dementia can be challenging as the disease can cause significant changes in behavior, personality, and language.
However, there are several strategies and resources to help support FTD patients and their caregivers.
Support and resources for FTD patients and caregivers
Support groups can provide a safe and supportive environment for caregivers to connect with others who are experiencing similar challenges.
Groups can be in-person or online and can be led by healthcare professionals or other individuals with personal experience caregiving a person with FTD.
Popular FTD support groups include:
- Kensington Konnect, Kensington Senior Living’s online hub for caregivers, seniors, and their families.
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD)
- The Alzheimer’s Association
Online forums and communities
Online forums and communities can also provide a space for caregivers to connect with others and share information and resources.
Popular online forums for FTD include:
Educational resources, books, and materials
There are several educational resources and materials available for caregivers of individuals with FTD including books and blog pages.
Popular books and online resources for caregivers of individuals with FTD include:
- Kensington’s blog page with new articles about senior health and caregiving
- The 36-Hour Day: A Family Guide to Caring for People Who Have Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias
- Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease
- Activities to Do with Your Parent Who Has Alzheimer’s Dementia
The importance of early intervention and proactive care
Early intervention and proactive care are essential for managing the symptoms of FTD and improving the quality of life of your loved one with the disease.
By recognizing the symptoms early, caregivers can take steps to ensure their loved one receives the specialized care they need to maintain their independence and maximize their well-being.
One option for proactive care is moving a loved one with FTD into an assisted living community or memory care community that specializes in dementia care.
Assisted living and memory care communities can provide a safe and structured environment that can manage the symptoms of FTD and improve the individual’s quality of life.
Additionally, caregivers can receive respite from caregiving responsibilities to prevent burnout and improve their own well-being.
By recognizing the symptoms of FTD early and making the move to assisted living, caregivers can give their loved ones the best chance for a longer, happier life surrounded by professionals who can provide the specialized care they need.
Kensington Senior Living: your partners in dementia care
At Kensington Senior Living, we understand the challenges that come with caring for a loved one with frontotemporal dementia.
Our upscale independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities located in New York, Maryland, Virginia, and California provide specialized care and support for individuals with FTD, while also offering all the amenities and services of a high-end resort.
With exceptional memory care services, on-site physical rehabilitation, and access to skilled nursing care, we’ll ensure your loved one receives the care they need to maintain their independence and enjoy a happy, fulfilling life.
At Kensington Senior Living, Our Promise is to love and care for your loved one as we do our own.
Please contact us if you’re interested in learning more about our assisted living and memory care communities and learning how we can support your loved one with frontotemporal dementia.