Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) affects thousands of Canadians and is one of the most common forms of young-onset dementia. Yet many people are surprised to learn that Canada does not have legislation specifically dedicated to FTD. Instead, FTD is included within broader dementia legislation and national policies. While this means people living with FTD are recognized in Canada's approach to dementia care, it also raises an important question: Does a broad dementia strategy ade

Imagine watching someone you love slowly change before your eyes. They become impulsive, lose empathy, struggle to communicate, or begin making decisions that seem completely out of character. Friends assume it's stress. Employers think it's burnout. Doctors diagnose depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, menopause, or even a midlife crisis. Years later, the truth finally emerges: it was never a mental health condition. It was Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). For far too many C

Imagine walking into work one day and noticing that your colleague has changed. They seem more impulsive, forgetful, emotionally distant, or they begin saying things that feel inappropriate or out of character. Their work performance declines, relationships become strained, and whispers begin circulating through the office. Most people assume stress. Burnout. Depression. Laziness. A bad attitude. What few people consider is that these could be the first signs of Frontotempora

When Canadians think about dementia, most think of memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Yet thousands of individuals and families across the country are facing a lesser-known and often misunderstood condition: Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). FTD is the most common form of dementia diagnosed in people under the age of 60, yet awareness of the disease remains alarmingly low. For many families, the journey begins with years of confusion, misdiagnosis, and isolation. Without great

Understanding Behavioural Changes, Public Safety, and the Need for Better Canadian Supports Most Canadians are familiar with Alzheimer's disease and the memory loss that often accompanies it. Far fewer understand behavioural variant Frontotemporal Dementia (bvFTD), a devastating neurological disease that can fundamentally alter a person's personality, judgment, impulse control, and social behaviour. For families, the experience can be shocking. A once-kind spouse may become v

When people hear the word “dementia,” many immediately think of memory loss. But dementia is not one single condition, nor does it affect everyone the same way. True inclusivity means understanding that people living with dementia experience the world differently — and that every experience deserves dignity, respect, and support. At FTD Canada, we believe inclusivity goes beyond accessibility ramps, large-print resources, or supportive language. Inclusivity also means recogni

We like to believe we’re in control of our decisions. From what we say in a conversation to how we react in tense moments, we assume there’s a “pause button” between impulse and action—a space where judgment lives. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) quietly erodes that space. And that’s what makes it so unsettling. The Disease That Doesn’t Look Like a Disease Unlike many neurological conditions, FTD often doesn’t begin with obvious physical decline. There’s no tremor to point at,

Every April, National Volunteer Week shines a spotlight on the people who give their time to strengthen communities across Canada. For organizations focused on rare diseases like FTD (Frontotemporal Dementia), volunteers aren’t just helpful, they are essential. FTD is a complex and often misunderstood condition. Unlike more widely recognized forms of dementia, it tends to affect younger individuals and presents with changes in behavior, personality, and language. Because of t

A diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can feel overwhelming, disorienting, and even isolating. But one truth matters above all: you are not alone. Across the world, individuals, families, care partners, and professionals are navigating this journey together—learning, adapting, and building supportive communities along the way. While an FTD diagnosis may answer some long-standing questions, it often introduces many new ones. It marks the beginning of a path that require

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a lesser-known but deeply impactful form of dementia that primarily affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, which often begins with memory loss, FTD tends to first alter behavior, personality, language, and decision-making. Because it frequently develops earlier in life—often between the ages of 45 and 65 it can disrupt careers and financial stability at a particularly critical stage. The Workplace Chal

Yesterday in the chamber of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, something quietly historic happened. During a Private Member’s Statement, Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) was recognized on the legislative record, what appears to be the first time the disease has been specifically acknowledged in a legislative chamber anywhere in Canada. For many people, it may have sounded like a brief moment in the routine of legislative proceedings. But for families living with FTD, it repre

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is one of the most misunderstood and under-recognized neurodegenerative diseases in Canada. For families, the journey to diagnosis is often long, confusing, and emotionally devastating. For medical professionals, it can be an uncomfortable clinical challenge; rare, complex, and lacking a single definitive diagnostic test during life. But that discomfort cannot become inaction. If we are to truly support patients and families living with FTD, we m