Dementia conditions can upend a person’s life long before they reach their senior years. One example is frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It often strikes people in their 40s and 50s.
Up to 20% of all types of dementia fall under the umbrella of FTD. As the name suggests, it affects the frontal and temporal parts of the brain. These control language, speech, personality and behavior. FTD can also affect motor functions. It often, although not always, occurs in people who have a family history of the disorder.
Currently, the life expectancy of someone diagnosed with FTD can vary from two to up to ten years, and it is progressive. As the condition progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult – and eventually impossible – for someone to hold down any kind of job or care for themselves.
FTD is included in the Compassionate Allowances program
That’s why the Social Security Administration includes FTD among the conditions included in its Compassionate Allowances (CAL) program. This program allows those with the condition (and a number of other serious conditions) to get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) through an expedited approval process.
FTD can be diagnosed using various types of imaging such as MRIs. These imaging techniques can also rule out other causes of a person’s symptoms, such as a brain tumor. These and other tests can provide the evidence you need to validate the diagnosis to the SSA.
Nonetheless, even when they qualify for the CAL program, no one can assume that their SSDI application will be immediately approved. If you’re caring for a family member with FTD, you don’t have the time or energy to deal with unnecessary denials and resubmissions. With legal guidance, you can help ensure that a loved one’s application is approved and that they begin getting the benefits they need and deserve as soon as possible.