Learn about primary progressive aphasia diagnosis; Caregivers Corner

Dear Mary, My parents and siblings live in Maryland and I am in Colorado. My dad was diagnosed with PPA; it's very difficult to understand him over the phone. When I've asked my mother about speech therapy for him, she said it wouldn't help. I'm frustrated because I don't think the family is doing anything to help him improve.

Dear Reader, Just like Alzheimer's disease, primary progressive aphasia, or PPA, is a neurological syndrome, meaning that it will progress and the individual will continue to suffer deterioration of brain cells.

PPA is a type of frontotemporal dementia, a cluster of related disorders that results from the degeneration of the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain. For those living with PPA, language skills progressively decline. Individuals with PPA can have difficulty expressing their thoughts and understanding or finding words. Unlike Alzheimer's disease, memory loss generally occurs later in the disease.

Symptoms begin gradually, often before the age of 65. PPA begins generally with subtle changes in language and progresses to a nearly total inability to speak. PPA usually progresses slowly and individuals can continue to care for themselves and participate in daily activities for many years. Language deficits can differ from patient to patient depending on which part of the left hemisphere is more damaged during any given point. Most individuals will eventually have difficulty understanding spoken or written language and become mute.

As the disease progresses, other cognitive skills, such as memory, are affected; some patients develop movement issues. Individuals may suffer depression. Others might show poor judgement skills, inappropriate behavior in social situation or blunted emotions. Individuals with PPA will need help with day-to-day care.

While individuals who develop aphasia as a result of a stroke or head trauma may benefit from speech therapy, those with PPA will not. Some, however, may learn new communication strategies from speech-language pathologists and families may also benefit from strategies learned in aphasia support/community groups.

Loyola University Maryland offers a monthly support group and "The Connection" newsletter for individuals living with PPA and their caregivers. For more information, contact Cindy Nichols at 410-617-7717.

Dear Mary, My 80-plus-year-old parents live in Anne Arundel County. They own their own home but are living only on my father's Social Security and a very small pension. They are not eligible for Medicaid but certainly do not have the finances to pay for the care I think they need. Where can I find out what is out there for seniors like them?

Dear Reader, Start with a call to the Department of Aging and Disabilities information and assistance specialists at 410-222-4257. This one-stop, user-friendly access can provide information regarding resources and services offered by multiple agencies for persons ages 50 and older, persons ages 18 and older with a disability, and caregivers for seniors and adults with disabilities.

Information and assistance specialists provide a single contact point for information about all programs and services, assist in defining needs and locating appropriate services, and help with completing forms and applications for benefit programs.

Dear Mary, I am making plans to move my mother from her current assisted living facility since her long-term care insurance policy runs out this year. I was at your Discover the Programs workshop in January, and you mentioned a program that could help me find a lower-cost alternative. Where can I find that information?

Dear Reader, Please contact the Department of Aging and Disabilities Assisted Living Program staff, and they will be happy to speak with you and help you narrow your search down from the more than 100 assisted living homes here in Anne Arundel County.

Call our MAP line at 410-222-4257 and ask to speak with Assisted Living Program staff.

Dear Readers, Mark your calendars for Anne Arundel County's 27th annual Caregivers' Conference. This year's event will be held April 13 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.

The Department of Aging and Disabilities has once again teamed with local organizations and businesses to provide a day filled with useful and educational information and resources for both informal and professional caregivers. Topics will provide caregivers with practical tools and essential information.

In addition, caregivers will have a chance to network with fellow caregivers. Vendors from local businesses and nonprofit organizations will be on hand to share resources and information to assist you with your caregiving needs.

Registration forms will be mailed/emailed in early March. If you would like to be placed on our mailing list, you can email [email protected] or call 410-222-4375.

Questions and comments can be sent to Mary Chaput at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, 7320 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, or by contacting 410-222-4339 or [email protected].

Credit: Mary Chaput - Questions and comments can be sent to Mary Chaput at the Department of Aging and Disabilities, 7320 Ritchie Highway, Glen Burnie, MD 21061, or by contacting 410-222-4339 or [email protected].