What Are the 7 Stages of Frontotemporal Dementia?

Did you know that frontotemporal dementia (FTD) typically begins between the ages of 45 and 65? However, some patients may experience the onset of the illness earlier.

Frontotemporal dementia progresses gradually through different stages, each presenting unique challenges and symptoms that can affect a person’s ability to communicate and behave.

So, what are the seven stages of frontotemporal dementia? In this guide, we’ll discover the different FTD stages, symptoms for each stage, and how our services at Always Best Care can support your loved one.

What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) refers to a group of conditions caused by nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes, leading to shrinkage.

FTD can affect an individual’s behavior, personality, language, and movement.

Common forms of frontotemporal dementia include:

• Frontal variant: This type of FTD alters behavior and personality
• Primary progressive aphasia: This type of FTD exhibits aphasia — a language condition that results from damage to parts of the brain controlling speech and language comprehension

The 7 Stages of Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia progresses through seven stages, beginning with mild cognitive impairments and ultimately leading to severe memory loss and physical decline in its final stages.

Keep in mind that the progression of FTD varies widely and doesn’t always follow these stages linearly. Symptoms can also progress at different rates among individuals.

Stage 1: Mild Cognitive Changes

Individuals in the first stage of frontotemporal dementia often show subtle personality and behavioral changes, such as withdrawal, distress, and OCD.

While the brain is undergoing significant changes, behavioral changes could be frequently dismissed as normal signs of aging that family and friends can easily overlook.

You may notice symptoms like:

• Decreased motivation
• Anhedonia or the loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Increased apathy

Stage 2: Behavioral Changes

Minor behavioral changes persist during this stage, along with speech and language issues.

An elderly individual might display social inappropriateness and struggle to find the correct words to express themselves.

In this stage, loved ones might suspect there’s already a problem.

Your elderly loved one may also experience the following behaviors:

• Anger
• Acting inappropriately with strangers
• Losing social etiquette
• Impulsive behavior

Stage 3: Language Difficulties

At this stage, the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia become more noticeable. Although your elderly loved one may not recognize these changes, others around them will likely notice.

Language difficulties also intensify, impacting their daily activities at work, home, and in social interactions.

Your elderly loved one might exhibit the following behaviors:

• Progressive decline in language and communication skills
• Trouble expressing their thoughts
• Difficulty understanding complex information

Stage 4: Significant Impact on Quality of Life

The fourth stage of frontotemporal dementia is characterized by a dramatic decline in language abilities. As the condition progresses, recalling even simple words becomes more difficult.

Additionally, memory impairment and behavioral changes are likely to become more frequent and severe.

Other symptoms include:

• Struggling to organize and plan tasks
• A reduced ability to adapt to new situations or changes, such as unfamiliar social settings

Stage 5: Personality Changes and Mood Swings

At this stage, the symptoms of frontotemporal dementia intensify, often resembling those of Alzheimer’s disease.

People with frontotemporal dementia may begin experiencing significant memory and problem-solving difficulties.

Severe personality changes and mood swings start to distress both the elderly individual and their family.

In this phase, you might notice other symptoms like:

• Difficulty with speech and language
• Loss of motor skills
• Changes in eating habits

Stage 6: Memory Deterioration

Before reaching the final stage of frontotemporal dementia, symptoms worsen, often requiring care in a memory facility or nursing home.

Memory, language, and motor skills further decline, and falls become more frequent. Elderly individuals with this condition also become less responsive.

In this stage, symptoms may include:

• Severe memory loss
• Difficulty recognizing familiar people or places
• Trouble recalling recent events or conversations

Stage 7: Severe Cognitive Impairment and Health Decline

If you live with an elderly loved one in their last stage of frontotemporal dementia, you’ll notice a drastic increase in their need for assistance with basic daily activities and a significant reduction in their communication abilities.

Their physical health and immune system also decline, making them more susceptible to various health complications, such as pneumonia.

Individuals with frontotemporal dementia at an advanced stage will need constant care, either at home or in a dementia home care where experienced professionals can maintain their comfort during the last months or years of the condition.

Potential Complications of Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia isn’t life-threatening, and people diagnosed with it can live for an average of 7.5 years to more than a decade.

However, it increases the risk of more serious illnesses like pneumonia, which is the most common health complication associated with FTD.

In fact, a previous study showed that dementia is a risk factor for aspiration pneumonia in older adults. Additionally, further research has found that people with dementia are more likely to die from pneumonia.

Pneumonia is often associated with frontotemporal dementia, as FTD can cause swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia. This increases the risk of aspirating food or liquids into the lungs.

How To Diagnose Frontotemporal Dementia

Unfortunately, one test can’t diagnose frontotemporal dementia.

Healthcare providers often perform blood tests and physical exams to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

If a healthcare professional suspects dementia, they can:

• Evaluate neuropsychological status, including memory, problem-solving, attention, numerical skills, and language abilities
• Assess neurological health by checking reflexes, muscle strength and tone, sensory capabilities, coordination, and balance
• Order MRI or CT scans

How To Treat Frontotemporal Dementia

Currently, no treatments can slow down or successfully cure the FTD progression.

However, healthcare providers may recommend the following to manage symptoms:

• Antipsychotic medications to reduce irrational and compulsive behaviors
• Antidepressants for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and other symptoms
• Prescription sleep aids to alleviate insomnia and other sleep issues
• Behavior management strategies to control unacceptable behaviors, such as making inappropriate comments
• Involvement of loved ones in treatment plans to provide emotional support

Find Dementia Care Services at Always Best Care Senior Services

Operating across more than 250 locations in the United States and Canada, our experts can build the ideal care plan for your loved one to meet their specific needs.

Our dementia care services offer tailored support designed to enhance your loved one’s comfort, safety, and well-being.

In addition to our top-notch dementia care, we offer:

• In-home care services: We ensure your loved one receives 24/7 support, including meal preparation, nutrition monitoring, safety supervision, and hospice or end-of-life care.
• Respite care services: We provide temporary care for your senior loved one so you can take a break for work, errands, or other responsibilities.
• Skilled home health care services: Available in select locations, this service includes customized care plans tailored to manage long-term health conditions.
• Specialized home care services: Utilizing advanced tools like remote patient monitoring and balance tracking systems, we guarantee continuous care and vigilance for your loved one.
• Senior living referral services: We guide you through finding the ideal senior living community that meets your loved one’s needs.
• Veterans assistance program: We help veterans in accessing financial support as a way to thank them for their service.