Frontotemporal degeneration in the patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: helping the caregiver cope

Abstract

Research in the previous decade has found a link between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). It is estimated that as many as 50% of all people with ALS will have some degree of cognitive impairment and that approximately 10%-25% of patients will meet the Neary criteria for FTD. For the caregivers of persons with both ALS and FTD, the burden of care can be quite high. Nurses are in a position to help the caregivers cope.