Page 4 - Boca ViewPointe - April '23

Page 4, Viewpointe April 2023
More Information On Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

By Harriet Rubin, Speech Semantic dementia, which affects the ability to use and How is FTD diagnosed
Pathologist, CCC/SLP understand language. Family members are often the first to notice subtle changes
A less common form of FTD affects movement, causing in behavior or language skills. It’s important to see a health care
I want to thank those symptoms similar to Parkinson disease or amyotrophic lateral provider as early as possible to discuss: symptoms, medical
of you who read my very sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). history, family medical history, and all medications.
first non-clown article last The cause of FTD is unknown, A family history of FTD No single test can diagnose FTD. If dementia is suspected
month. I received many is the only known risk for these diseases. Although experts an MRI or CT scans can be ordered.
complimentary comments, believe that some cases of FTD are inherited, most people Currently, no treatments are available to cure or slow the
and I appreciate the with FTD have no family history of it or other types of progression of FTD, but health care providers may prescribe
responses. In all of my over dementia. medicine to treat symptoms. Speech-Language pathologists,
50 years of practice as a Symptoms of FTD physical and occupational therapists can help adjustment to
clinical Speech Pathologist, Behavior and/or dramatic personality changes, such as some of the changes caused by FTD.
only working at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, N.J. and swearing, stealing, increased interest in sex, or a deterioration FTD is not life-threatening -people may live with it for years,
numerous Nursing Homes, Rehabilitation Centers and Home in personal hygiene habits but it can lead to an increased risk for Pneumonia, infections
Care, with adults, I have never had a patient diagnosed with Socially inappropriate, impulsive, or repetitive behaviors and fall-related injuries. FTD may eventually lead to the need
FTD. However, looking back at the thousands of patients I Impaired judgment for full-time nursing care.”
have treated, I can remember a number of younger “stroke” Apathy Recently, Heming Willis, married to Bruce since 2009,
or Alzheimers patients who exhibited the symptoms now Lack of Empathy requested on instagram: “To other caregivers or dementia care
indicated by an FTD diagnosis. This condition is now getting Decreased self awareness specialist navigating this world…Any tips or advice on how to
much publicity unfortunately due to Bruce Willis being Loss of interest in normal daily activities get your love ones out in the world safely: Please share below.”
diagnosed with it, and his family coming forward to openly Emotional withdrawal from others This was in response to an incident reported on TV when
stand behind him. Loss of energy and motivation reporters were shouting questions to Willis who was out “for
I understand that many of you who read The Viewpoint Inability to use or understand language; this may include a coffee break” with family. I hope anyone taking the time to
may have missed my March article, so I am going to present difficulty naming objects, expressing words, or understanding read my article has a better understanding of how a patient with
some basic facts about FTD from a different source. the meaning of words FTD would react to this kind of scenario. Just imagine- You
Johns Hopkins Medicine Health article, 2023 provided Hesitation when speaking can’t understand what anyone is saying, you can’t find the right
the following: Less frequent speech words to answer the questions, the words you are saying don’t
“Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a common cause of Distractibility make sense, you just want them to go away and stop bothering
dementia, is a group of disorders that occur when nerve Trouble planning and organizing you so get angry and perhaps your verbal and physical reactions
cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are lost. Frequent mood changes are uncontrolled! This is a terrible disease, but I hope you all
This causes the lobes to shrink. FTD can affect behavior, Agitation have a better understanding of FTD.
personality, language, and movement. Increasing dependence Thank you for reading this. 
These disorders are among the most common dementias
that strike at younger ages. Symptoms typically start between
the ages of 40 and 65, but FTD can strike young adults and Boca Pointe Community Association, Inc.
those who are older. FTD affects men and women equally.
The most common types of FTD are: 6909 SW 18th St., Suite A120 A special Thank You to our monthly volunteer contributing writers
Frontal varient. This form of FTD affects behavior and Boca Raton, FL 33433
personality. Office (561) 395-7551 Fax (561) 395-5936 Steve Handwerker Anne Gannon Arthur Dermer
Email: info@bocapointe.com
Primary progressive aphasia. Aphasia means difficulty Website: www.bocapointe.com Judith Levy Elyse Weintraub Brown William A. Gralnick
communicating. This type has two subtypes: Dr. Ronald J. Meyers Hillary Reynolds Milagros Gutierrez de Herrera
Yishai Mizrahi
Oris Martin
Lisa Sileo
Progressive nonfluent aphasia, which affects the ability Access Control Rayna Becker Robert Weinroth
to speak. Operator: (561) 395-3392 Halli Moore Barry J. Haberman
Voice mail system: (561) 395-3369 Harold Katz Peter Sachs
Website: www.gateaccess.net
Harriet Rubin Steven L. Abrams
Staff
April Narine, General Manager
Lisa Cammaleri, Assistant Manager
Yvonne Rivera, Administrative Assistant
Marcel Dos Santos, Director of Security The views of the writers of the various articles in this newspaper do not
necessarily reflect the views of the Boca Pointe Community Association.
Viewpointe of Boca Pointe is the newspaper The Association nor the individual writers are not responsible for claims or
of Boca Pointe Community Association, Inc. promises contained in any advertising material appearing in the Viewpointe.
Please direct all questions, comments or Such claims and promises are the sole responsibility of the individual
articles for Viewpointe to lisa.cammaleri@ advertiser.
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