Caring for Someone With A Frontotemporal Disorder
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, up to 60,000 people aged 45 to 65 in the United States live with a frontotemporal disorder. This progressive condition is one of many forms of dementia causing cognitive decline in older Americans. Learning about frontotemporal disorders and how to care for someone with this form of dementia can help you better prepare in case a loved one receives a dementia diagnosis.
What Is A Frontotemporal Disorder?
To understand frontotemporal disorders, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of brain anatomy. The brain is an organ responsible for motor skills, memory, emotion, vision, breathing, and various other functions. At its highest level, the brain contains three sections: the cerebellum, brainstem, and cerebrum.
The cerebrum is the most important section of the brain to understand when it comes to frontotemporal disorders. The cerebrum has four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. A frontotemporal disorder happens when there is neuron damage to the frontal or temporal lobes.
The frontal and temporal lobes are responsible for different functions. The frontal lobe is involved with personality, decision-making, and movement. The temporal lobe controls short-term memory, speech, and rhythm. When a person has a frontotemporal disorder, these functions are compromised, resulting in personality changes and challenges with movement, decision-making, memory, and speech.
Tips For Caring For A Loved One
Learning that a loved one has a frontotemporal disorder is difficult, but understanding how to help care for them is one of the best things you can do.
Educate Yourself On Frontotemporal Disorders
Frontotemporal disorders, or frontotemporal dementia, can present differently in people at different stages of the disease. Frontotemporal disorders are progressive, meaning their symptoms become more aggressive with time. Educating yourself on how this condition will affect your loved one can help you know what to expect as time goes on.
Remain Compassionate And Patient
It takes time to adjust to life with a frontotemporal disorder. It takes even more time to adjust to life as the disease progresses. There will be frustrating days, but remaining compassionate and patient toward your loved one is important to their well-being and yours.
Give your loved one time to answer questions. Don’t rush them if they need extra time to prepare for the appointment. Remind them that it’s okay if they are having challenges and remain empathic to their situation.
Don’t Make Everything About Their Condition
Your loved one may have a frontotemporal disorder. This disorder may make basic tasks difficult. But that doesn’t mean your loved one is not still a whole person with likes, joys, and desires. Allow and encourage your loved one to continue enjoying things that make them happy, and try not to focus every day on their condition.
Take Care Of Yourself
You can provide quality care to another person if you don’t take care of yourself first. As hard as it is to set boundaries and take time away from your loved ones, it’s important to put yourself first to avoid burnout.
Talk to loved ones, neighbors, and friends to devise a care schedule so you can have a break and enjoy time for yourself. Allow yourself to continue to enjoy life, and don’t feel guilty for laughing, having fun, and pursuing dreams.
Reach Out For Help
Caring for someone with a frontotemporal disorder is not something you have to do alone. If you don’t have nearby assistance, the team at Visiting Angels Grand Junction would be happy to step in. Our professional caregivers can remove some of the weight from you by helping with nonmedical tasks like housekeeping, cooking, appointment transportation, mobility, personal grooming, medication reminders, and more. Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation and learn more about how we can help you and your loved one.