Penn FTD Center 2020 Virtual Caregiver Conference Is on YouTube

The Penn FTD Center has taken its annual 2020 caregiver conference online and produced six video presentations to aid and educate those who care for persons with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). The in-person 2020 Penn FTD Virtual Caregiver Conference, originally scheduled for June and then postponed to November, has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are excited to share that a portion of this year’s conference will be available to attendees in a virtual format,” said Murray Grossman, M.D., C.M., Ed.D., director of the Penn FTD Center said. “Though this is not how we would traditionally gather, we are excited to share what we have been working on and feel it is more important than ever to come together as a community.”

These six presentations by some of the scheduled speakers cover an array of topics that were planned for this year’s conference.

1. “FTD Virtual Caregiver Conference 2020: What if it's not Alzheimer's Disease?”
   Dr. Grossman introduces the virtual 2020 FTD Caregiver Conference with an overview of FTD.
2. “Genetics and Genetic Counseling in FTD and FTD/ALS”
   Laynie Dratch, ScM, a genetic counselor at the Penn FTD Center, discusses genetics and genetic counseling in FTD and related disorders.
3. “Caregiver Strategies for Symptom Management”
   Gabriela Bustamante, BSN, RN, a cognitive clinical research nurse at the Penn FTD Center, shares strategies for caregivers to manage symptoms.
4. “Researching FTD and Related Conditions: Why You Should Get Involved in Research”
   Corey McMillan, Ph.D., and David J. Irwin, M.D., discuss research and clinical trials for FTD.
5. “Decision Making in Advanced Illness”
   Lauren Massimo, Ph.D., CRNP, discusses decision-making in advanced illness in FTD.
6. “Social Work Consultations: Psychosocial Support and Care Planning”
   Cynthia Clyburn, MSW, LSW, discusses care planning and support for families affected by FTD.