Work

Advanced Practice Nursing

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), once thought to be a rare cause for dementia, is now acknowledged to be the most common presenile (before age 65 years) cause of dementia. Frontotemporal dementia is associated with profound changes in behavior, personality, emotions, and cognition. The purpose of this article is to describe 2 cases of patients with FTD to illustrate salient aspects of the caregiving experience. Issues faced by caregivers are organized into 6 categories: diagnosis, behavioral symptoms, function, communication, long-term management and care, and maintenance of the caregiver's emotional and physical health. Examples of interventions directed by advanced practice nurses are described. We suggest that management of FTD requires expertise as scientific advances and discoveries about FTD continually change the landscape of care.

Source: Clinical Nurse Specialist

DOI: 10.1097/nur.0b013e3181ecdc32

Authors: JENNIFER MERRILEES, ROBIN KETELLE

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Aging