Introduction

Hello. 

This is the space where our family can freely write about the status of our dad's Frontotemporal Dementia.  Some days it might be a simple post explaining he's having a good day where we have something nice to share or it might be a place to vent when he's not.  I'd like to see this become a place where others who have loved ones with FTD can come to compare notes or find peace that they are not alone with caring for someone with this disease. 


According to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration:

Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is a disease process that results in progressive damage to the anterior temporal and/or frontal lobes of the brain. It causes a group of brain disorders that share many clinical features. The hallmark of FTD is a gradual, progressive decline in behavior and/or language that often has a relatively young age at onset (mid-50s to 60s), but has been seen as early as 21 and as late as 80 years. As the disease progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult for people to plan or organize activities, behave appropriately in social or work settings, interact with others, and care for oneself, resulting in increasing dependency.

FTD represents an estimated 10%-20% of all dementia cases and is recognized as one of the most common dementias affecting a younger population. It is estimated that FTD affects approximately 50,000-60,000 Americans. FTD occurs equally in men and women. In a minority of cases, it is inherited.

While there are currently no treatments to slow or stop the progression of the disease, FTD research is expanding, producing greater understanding of the disorders. We anticipate that this knowledge will result in a growing number of potential therapeutics entering clinical testing within the next few years.


If you've stumbled across this blog because you were looking for more info on FTD, I'm sorry that you had reason to find us, but hopefully we can all bond together, learn from one another and support one another while navigating through such an awful disease.