Types of FTD

Behavior Changes	Possible Symptoms	Things you can do
Behavioral Variant FTD (bvFTD) Also called: Frontotemporal dementia Pick’s disease	-Loss of interest in things and people; apathy -Inability to empathize -Difficulty in organization, planning -Difficulty in reasoning, judgment -Loss of social “filter;” disinhibition; inappropriate comments or actions (outbursts of frustration, touching strangers, urinating in public) -Repetitive or compulsive behaviors including hoarding or “getting stuck” on the same activity (tapping, pacing, sorting things) -Change in appetite (overeating) -Lack of awareness -Lack of concern for personal appearance or hygiene -Inability to handle frustration; angry or aggressive behavior	-Help the person get started by doing something with them; use actions to draw them in rather than words. -Follow a consistent routine as much as possible; post a daily schedule for the person to follow. -Divide tasks into small, simpler steps -Choose quieter, less stimulating settings; talk calmly, be reassuring, smile. -Step in and be firm to guide the person from inappropriate conversations or actions; say “Thank you, we have to go now” and guide away. -Carry AFTD “awareness cards” and offer in public rather than trying to explain the situation. -Ignore behaviors that are annoying or odd, but not harmful. -Tell a trusted adult about potential hazards and risky behavior you notice; help limit access to food, keep home free of power tools, guns, and other harmful things. -Leave the room if person is angry, yelling or aggressive; don’t correct them or argue. Get help if you feel unsafe.
Language Changes	Possible Symptoms	Things you can do
Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Subtypes: -Nonfluent agrammatic PPA -Semantic variant PPA -Logopenic variant PPA	-Loss of ability to generate words -Ability to read and write is impaired -Slow speech -Difficulty understanding the meaning of words. -Decline in language comprehension -Some people can speak fluently, but lose the meaning of words and concepts. -Difficulty with sentence and phrase repetition	-Speak slowly, use simple sentences. Ask them yes / no or specific questions rather than open-ended.Be patient while the person answers. -Minimize background noise or distractions and stress, all of which make it harder for the person to communicate. -Most communication is not words! Use different ways to send your message (facial expressions, gestures, drawing, gentle touches). People respond more to non-verbal cues. Smile. -Cue the person to say more so you understand; “Tell me about it,” “What does it look like?” “What do you do with it?”
Movement/Motor Changes	Possible Symptoms	Things you can do
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)Corticobasal Syndrome (CBS)FTD + Motor Neuron Disease (MND) (MND, also known as ALS)	-Difficulty controlling & coordinating eye movements -Loss of balance, frequent falls -Stiff or rigid movements -Difficulty swallowing -Slowness of movements -Tremors -Muscle weakness	-Encourage the use of canes, walkers, wheelchairs as needed. Help to hold or carry or hand things if they cannot. -Keep common areas of the house free of clutter on the floor. -Slow down yourself; unexpected or quick movement may throw off the person’s balance. -Do activities with the person that will help them stay as active as possible; a physical therapist can make suggestions.