About 55,000 Americans, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, have frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, it makes up 10-20% of all dementia cases. Nerve cell loss in FTD affects control conduct, judgment, and empathy.
Bruce Willis, a dementia patient
In Dementia, a patient might make poor sexual comments and inappropriate sexual touches to themselves or others. Surprisingly, doctors diagnosed actor Bruce Willis with Primary Progressive Aphasia(PPA) last year. It is a form of FTD which affects speaking, writing, and Comprehension.
Causes of Frontotemporal Dementia
- A patient feels hesitant or labored speech.
- The patient can’t put words into a spoken sentence.
- Arms and legs become stiff, and they can lose their good posture.
Treatment for Frontotemporal Dementia Patients
Families dealing with a loved one with FTD must realize that the patient is not in control of their behaviors to avoid arguing with them.
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Treatment at home
Speak slowly and softly with an FTD patient. Additionally, using drawings or labeled photos is a good idea. Second, get ready for the future by establishing advance directives.
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Treatment through institutions
The Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centre helps families by educating them and offering assistance. It is physically and emotionally draining to care for a person with FTD. Therefore, support groups are a very good resource for help from other caregivers.
Difficulties Faced by Bruce Willis
The family of Bruce does not recognize the early symptoms of Bruce Willis’ illness. The director of his most recent movie, according to a March 30, 2022 piece in the Los Angeles Times, sought to “abbreviate his dialogue a bit so that there were no monologues.” However, many people on the set were concerned about Willis’ well-being.
Moreover, in “Pulp Fiction,” he could not remember his lines, so they fed him the lines through an earpiece. Willis’ management team limited his film shoots to only 2 days, and he often only stayed 4 hours a day. Further, Bruce often looked lost on the set but always tried his best.
Support from Bruce’s family
Caregiving for Someone with aphasia can be frustrating and emotionally taxing. It is important for caregivers to not forget about their own needs and wants. In an interview, Emma Wallis stated, “I put my family’s needs above my own which I found out does not make me a hero.” Emma struggles daily and realizes she needs help for the long-term problem. Someone once told me that when you over-care for someone, you under-care for yourself, she writes on her Instagram profile. Support groups and services are available. Emma feels that exercise improves her mental health and gives her more energy. The National Aphasia Association lists its “Carer Bill Of Rights,” emphasizing the need for carers to prioritize their own needs.
Furthermore, a very touching Instagram video was posted by Emma on May 22, 2023, about how her 9-year-old daughter was helping her father. Evelyn Willis was researching “fun facts” about Dementia and told her mother that people with Dementia could become dehydrated. So, now she makes sure that her Dad always has a bottle of water in his hand.
Therefore, Alzheimer’s Association verifies that this is true. It states that “dehydration can cause headaches, confusion, and urinary tract infections.” Various liquids, such as tea, coffee, juice, or smoothies, can be offered. Evelyn is showing her love and compassion for her father by educating herself.