Welcome to the Suggestion Box group!

I just found this site. WONDERFUL>  I am noticing that while I see Alzheimer's & Dementia... no information on FTD bettter known as Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia, considerably less know but with similar symptoms and then add a  whole laundry list of behavioral  symptoms.. The behavioral symptoms are a hallmark for this disease.   There is very little information or support available for this disease.  While rare there are a number of people and caregivers in my area dealing with this dementia type.  Would it be possible to add an additional subheading under the health category for FTD... The challenges of caring for loved ones with this disorder are monumental.  I am sure people dealing with loved ones would add lots of information. In hopes that others would better understand it and the related behaviors associated with this specific dementia category.   Thank you for having this list.  I am really liking it. Smiles

Hi Pamtime,

Thank you so much for your suggestion!  I'm going to make sure the editors for Caring.com see it so they can consider it!

Thank you  Missy.  FTD is little understood in the medical community and it is treated different than Alzheimers.  The components we are dealing with are more behavioral, high cognitive functioning, and violence and aggression.  Many of the medications that are effective for Alzheimers are not for FTD.  Caretakers and care giving facilities are reluctant to care for FTD patients because of the violence factor.  The executive function are of the brain in most impacted.  There is a loss of social appropriateness.  The patient needs to use the restroom, so there go where they are.  Mom walks into Walmart with us and what to her was a friendly tap, punches the store clerk in the arm. The insulted store cleak informs her she is committing a felony assult. Mom pauses, looks at him, and punches him harder and calls him a baby.  She may say very rude things to people because the filters that prevent most of us from being overtly rude are gone.  We have problems with shop lifiting, obsesive compulsive bahaviors, such as watering the lawn 7 times a day. Cooking must begin at 3 dispite the fact we don't eat until 7.  She frequently threatens her care takes with pulling back her fist.  Medications help but really alot more patience and redirecting of attention and activities are important.  I would really like people to know there are other dementias out there as devastating as ALZ and caregivers out there will little support from both the medical community or the internet community.  I believe the prevalence of this dementia is more common than we would like to think and that some patients are just hallmarked wit h  "dementia not othersise specified" that fit into this FTD profile.  We need more education for the caretakers and resources in the community, and community awareness that fosters additional interest in the medical community.  Thank you for passing this on to the editors. Pam

 Pam--thanks for your input. You're exactly right that there's much more to be said on the topic. As the site grows we are indeed adding more content that addresses other dementias. Meanwhile I hope you'll continue to share your insights in our group discussions.