Partners in FTD Care, Spring 2020
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Caring for someone with FTD can be extremely challenging. Common FTD symptoms such as confusion, loss of control and lack of awareness can manifest as resistant behaviors that make caregiving even more difficult.

The first step to managing these behaviors is to record them as they happen. By using a calendar to note the day, time and nature of each act of resistance, care partners and family members can gain crucial insight. What are the potential triggers? What words best characterize the behaviors (impatience, anxiety, frustration, irritability, agitation, aggression)? Which strategies seem to help? Which ones don’t?

This information should be shared with relevant care team members to ensure everyone is on the same page. Together, they can arrive at a deeper understanding of the specific resistant behaviors displayed by the person diagnosed, which can point toward non-pharmacological solutions (for example, adaptations to the home environment designed to reduce triggering situations and/or de-escalate resistant behaviors when they arise).

See also:

• I’m Only Trying to Help: Approaches to Resistant Behavior in the Home
• Combatting COVID-19 When FTD Causes Hand-Washing Resistance
• Optimizing Medications for Difficult Behaviors in FTD
• Strategies to Maintain Safety When Resistant Behaviors Arise
• A Care Partner’s Perspective
• Additional In-Home and Community-Based Care Options
• What to Do About Managing Resistant Behaviors
• Download the full issue (pdf)