Could personality changes in a loved one be more than a midlife change? In this episode, we explore frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a less commonly known form of dementia that often begins between ages 45 and 65 and can be mistaken for a “mid-life crisis.” Symptoms may include disinhibition, overspending and other uncharacteristic behaviours. Ashley Sharma shares her lived experience as a young caregiver supporting her grandmother after an FTD diagnosis, while Dr. Robert Laforce, behavioural neurologist and neuropsychologist (CHU de Québec, Université Laval), explains what FTD is, how it progresses and what families need to watch for. Together, they unpack early signs, practical steps to caring for someone living with FTD and how brain-healthy behaviours may help support quality of life. Ashley Sharma, 26, born and raised in Abbotsford, B.C., is a full-time social worker. At the age of 20, she found herself slipping into a part-time caregiver role for her grandmother, who was diagnosed with FTD. Dr. Laforce, Behavioural Neurologist and Clinical Neuropsychologist at CHU de Québec, Université Laval. Trained in neurology and neuropsychology, he has published 200+ papers and leads international research on atypical dementias and primary progressive aphasia.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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