AFTD Webinar: Person-Centered Care for bvFTD: Managing Symptoms and Providing Supportive Care

The symptoms of behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD), the most common FTD disorder, include impaired executive functioning and social comportment. Caregivers of persons with bvFTD face a unique set of challenges, including young age, competing life demands such as work and raising children, lack of public awareness about FTD, and limited supportive resources. After a diagnosis, nurses and social workers play a critical role in supporting families to navigate and adapt to the ongoing challenges.

This one-hour educational program features Cynthia Clyburn and Dr. Lauren Massimo of the Univeristy of Pennsylvania. It provides healthcare professionals and persons affected by FTD with a clear understanding of the most common bvFTD behaviors, their impact on families, and person-centered interventions to manage behaviors and improve quality of life for persons diagnosed and caregivers.

Learners will be able to:

- Describe at least four symptoms that are common in persons with bvFTD.
- Recognize the psychosocial impact on families of persons with bvFTD and describe recommendations for support.
- List three effective person-centered approaches to respond to challenging behaviors.

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These symptoms seem to be what one might see in someone who has severe FTD. What about when FTD is found when it is mild or moderate? Is there a medical doctor who specializes in genetic FTD that would speak with me?