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Old 02-16-2023, 01:23 PM
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Unhappy Sad News: Family gives update on Bruce Willis’ diagnosis

Family gives update on Bruce Willis’ diagnosis of Aphasia
Re: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN5MD5Bb7SM

The actor is suffering from a form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia(?)

The family of Bruce Willis has announced that the actor is suffering from a form of dementia called frontotemporal dementia, or FTD for short.

In a statement shared Thursday, the 67-year-old star’s family stated that while the news “is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”

“Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research,” the statement said.

Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce’s condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research,” the statement said.

Willis’ family — including wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore and his daughters — first disclosed his diagnosis of aphasia back in 2022. They said at the time that Willis was suffering from a medical condition that was affecting his cognitive abilities and would be taking a break from acting.

“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” his family’s new statement said. “We know in our hearts that — if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an “umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language.”

Willis’ most recent acting credit is “Detective Knight: Independence,” which was released in January 2023 and is the third installment of the thriller film series “Detective Knight.” He also has action movie “Assassin” slated for release next month.

Willis and Heming Willis share two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn. With Moore, he is father to daughters Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.
& Rumer Willis is currently expecting her first child with boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas.

“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us,” the statement added. “We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”

illis’ family — including wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore and his daughters — first disclosed his diagnosis of aphasia back in 2022. They said at the time that Willis was suffering from a medical condition that was affecting his cognitive abilities and would be taking a break from acting.

“Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately,” his family’s new statement said. “We know in our hearts that — if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal dementia is an “umbrella term for a group of brain disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These areas of the brain are generally associated with personality, behavior and language.”

Willis’ most recent acting credit is “Detective Knight: Independence,” which was released in January 2023 and is the third installment of the thriller film series “Detective Knight.” He also has action movie “Assassin” slated for release next month.

Willis and Heming Willis share two daughters, Mabel and Evelyn. With Moore, he is father to daughters Rumer, Scout and Tallulah.

Rumer Willis is currently expecting her first child with boyfriend Derek Richard Thomas.

“Bruce has always found joy in life — and has helped everyone he knows to do the same. It has meant the world to see that sense of care echoed back to him and to all of us,” the statement added. “We have been so moved by the love you have all shared for our dear husband, father, and friend during this difficult time. Your continued compassion, understanding, and respect will enable us to help Bruce live as full a life as possible.”

Post by: Brooks Rehabilitation:
Re: https://brooksrehab.org/conditions/aphasia/

So What is Aphasia?
By: Brooks Rehabilitation
Re: https://brooksrehab.org/conditions/aphasia/

Aphasia is an acquired communication disorder that does not affect a person’s intellect. It can affect one or more language modalities such as: talking, reading, writing or understanding spoken language. The ability to read, write, speak or understand language can be lost or reduced. Without the ability to participate in conversation, friendships, relationships and many life activities can be affected.

Aphasia affects more than 2 million people in the United States. Aphasia is more prevalent than multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, although only 8% of the US has ever heard of it. (National Aphasia Association, 2016).

What causes aphasia?

Aphasia is an acquired disorder usually caused by a brain injury such as a stroke, head trauma, infection or brain tumor.

Type of aphasia:

There are about seven different types of aphasia, which affect people in different ways. Some people have a “non fluent” type of aphasia, which usually is from an injury in the front of the brain. These individuals have more difficulty with producing words and sounds and it may be halting. There is also are “fluent” aphasia types, which usually result from damage to the back of the brain. They have longer sentences but they words may have less meaning.

1. Non-fluent types of aphasia:

Broca’s aphasia is when people find it very difficult to find and say the right words, although they probably know exactly what they want to say.

The person is non-fluent, able to understand, has difficulty repeating, and has word finding difficulties. They may also have problems with the” little” words such as “and, the” and using correct grammar such as verb tenses. They also may have apraxia of speech (motor sequencing difficulties) which makes it difficult to say sounds and repeat.

2. Another called Transcortical Motor:

The person is non-fluent, able to understand, able to repeat, has word finding difficulties.

3. Global aphasia:

This is the most severe type of aphasia. Global aphasia usually affects all language modalities although intellect remains intact. The person is non-fluent, has difficulty understanding, has difficulty repeating, and has word finding difficulties. People with global aphasia may not be able to read, write or speak. They often can benefit from using a device or app to help them communicate.

a. Conduction

The person is fluent, able to understand, has difficulty repeating, and has word finding difficulties. This type of aphasia is characterized by very fluent speech and surprising inability to repeat back a word.

b. Transcortical Sensory

The person is fluent, has difficulty understanding, able to repeat, has word finding difficulties.

c. Wernicke’s

The person is fluent, has difficulty understanding, has difficulty repeating, and has word finding difficulties. Wernicke’s aphasia is when someone is able to speak and use long sentences, but what they say may not make sense. They may use words that are nonsense such as “shmooke”. They may not know that what they’re saying is wrong, so may get frustrated when people don’t understand them. They also may have difficulty with reading and writing.

Primary Progressive Aphasia:

The final type of aphasia is Primary Progressive Aphasia. This type of aphasia is NOT due to a stroke or brain injury.

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a progressive neurologic condition where language capabilities become slowly and progressively worse, leading to a gradual loss of the ability to:

Types: Affected could relate to one or more of the following conditions:

* Reading -
* Writing -
* Speaking -
* Understanding - what other people are saying.

The deterioration can happen slowly, over a period of years. The rate of decline is different from person to person. In the later stages of PPA, other thinking skills including memory, attention and behavior may be affected. It is important to get this diagnosed by someone who specializes in knowledge about primary progressive aphasia.

People with primary progressive aphasia may benefit during the course of their illness by acquiring new communication strategies from speech-language pathologists, therapy and learning communication strategies. Many people with PPA have also learned new ways to communicate through participation in Aphasia Community Groups, such as those offered at BRAC.

For more information and videos, visit the National Aphasia Association.

A. How is aphasia diagnosed?

Aphasia is usually first recognized by the doctor who treats the person for his or her brain injury. Most individuals will undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan to confirm the presence of a brain injury and to identify its location in the brain.

B. How to help someone with aphasia:

People with aphasia are the same as they were before their injury and are competent and intelligent adults. Aphasia can affect both the ability to communicate verbally and through writing, and to understand the speech and writing of others. Aphasia changes the way in which we communicate with friends, families and coworkers. Although aphasia has no “cure”, individuals can improve over time, especially through speech therapy, participation in life and conversation. Therapy for aphasia should start at the onset of aphasia and continue in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health and outpatient settings.

At Brook’s rehabilitation we offer an incredible opportunity for people after they have been discharged from the hospital. The Brooks Aphasia Center offers two life participation aphasia programs including a community track and an intensive, comprehensive aphasia program.

The community track provides coordinated group activities to help reduce barriers to communication and increase confidence and socialization. Our members learn new skills which help them speak or write more effectively and enhance their quality of life.

C. The intensive, comprehensive aphasia program combines individualized, specialized therapy and immersive group rehabilitation for 5–30 hours per week for 6 weeks.

Both tracks begin with comprehensive assessments. They also include communication training for families and training to support the home or work environment. New skills and communication techniques are taught so members can re-engage in life’s activities and conversations again.

D. Tips to help with communication:
The following supported communication techniques will be helpful to increase communication:

To help get the message in clearly:

1. Speak slowly with natural pitch/volume.
2. Decrease background noise.
3. Rephrase or simplify if needed.
4. Ask yes/no questions if possible.
5. Give written choices/key words.
6. Draw or use pictures to help.
7. Ask one question at a time. Wait. Listen.

To help get the message out:

a. Allow time for them to respond.
b. Encourage them to draw, write or use their phone to help.
c. If they get stuck on a word, wait. Ask them if they want help.
d. Try to give clues or describe a word before giving them the word.
e. Write key words.
f. Use humor and encourage them!

Contributor: Medical Reviewer: Jodi Morgan, CCC-SLP
Brooks Rehabilitation Aphasia Center Manager
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal note: We send our very best to Bruce & his Family.
Tragic as it is - there may be some light at the end of the tunnel.
Only time will tell - and once again we send him our prayers
for him and his family.
-
__________________
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O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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  #2  
Old 02-16-2023, 01:52 PM
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Post Differences between aphasia and dementia

Differences between Aphasia and Dementia
By: Difference Between.net
Re: http://www.differencebetween.net/sci...-and-dementia/

The Topic with Bruce Willis - made me look up the difference between both aspects.

Aphasia vs Dementia:

Neurological disorders can manifest from simple memory loss in Alzheimer’s to more aggressive forms like mania and epilepsy. The manifestations depend chiefly on the area of the brain that is affected as every part of the brain has a different function, unlike other organs which essentially have one main function.

Dementia, meaning madness in Latin, implies a serious memory loss in a previously normal person, beyond what is expected due to normal ageing. The memory loss can be classified as static and complete, due to an injury to the brain and progressive, if it worsens slowly over time due to any reason. Aphasia, means speechlessness in Greek and is a manifestation of either disturbed comprehension and/or speech articulation. Depending on the region of the brain that is damaged, it can range from having problems in recollecting and using the correct word at the right time, to not being able to speak at all and even not being able to write what you wish to express.

Causes of dementia are hypothyroidism, vascular events, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, traumatic head injury, stroke, meningitis, chronic alcoholism leading to Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. Aphasia most commonly is the result of a stroke or traumatic injury to the skull. Brain tumors and infections may also precipitate a gradually evolving aphasia. The kind of aphasia will be determined by the area of the brain involved.

Aphasia can be classified as expressive aphasia, receptive aphasia, anomic aphasia, global aphasia, conduction aphasia and 3 transcortical type aphasias based on symptoms like repetition, fluency of speech, ability to name, etc. Symptoms of aphasia vary vastly; persistent phrase repetition, inability to read aloud, inability to repeat/write, disability in naming objects or recollecting their names, substitution of words/letters, speaking complete gibberish are all symptoms of aphasia. Symptoms of dementia can be permanent or transient. There might be transient memory loss after a seizure or acute head injury, which returns spontaneously over few hours/days. Permanent dementia is seen in conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and stroke. Dementia manifests as difficulty in recalling past experiences, retaining new information, loss of feeling and thoughts. People might forget to do daily activities like brushing and bathing and start neglecting themselves. There might be sudden outbursts of emotions like crying or anger without any apparent cause.

Diagnosis of both aphasia and dementia is by observing the symptoms. There are no particular tests which give conclusive evidence of either. Brain imaging techniques like CT scan, MRI might help by identifying damaged tissue in the brain. There exist 5-15 minute long tests that are reasonably reliable in screening dementias like MMSE and AMTS which are conducted by specialists.

Note: There is no real cure for dementia and aphasia. If the cause is a tumor, then removing it might solve the condition but not necessarily. A few dementias are treatable, e.g. if due to hypothyroidism, or due to meningitis, correcting the cause returns the dementia to normal. Similarly, no single treatment can be applied for aphasia. Using speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and neuropsychologists, aphasia can be worked on to improve but cure is rare.

Here is a short list of Take home pointers (for both):

a. Aphasia is speechlessness while dementia is serious memory loss in a previously
normal person. Aphasia can manifest as inability in reading, writing, talking, naming, identifying objects, recalling names, etc.

b. Whereas; Dementia manifests as difficulty in recalling experiences, retaining new information, not being able to identify friends and relatives, forgetting daily hygiene rituals, wandering aimlessly and sudden emotional outbursts. Diagnosis is chiefly by symptoms, few tests might aid an anatomical diagnosis. Treatment for a few dementias
is available, remaining are incurable. Aphasias require multiple modalities of treatment
for improvement - [but a cure is rare].
-
Again you can - Read more at the link below: Differences between Aphasia
and Dementia | and the Difference Between them.
Re: http://www.differencebetween.net/sci...#ixzz7tWG7kR6i
__________________
Boats

O Almighty Lord God, who neither slumberest nor sleepest; Protect and assist, we beseech thee, all those who at home or abroad, by land, by sea, or in the air, are serving this country, that they, being armed with thy defence, may be preserved evermore in all perils; and being filled with wisdom and girded with strength, may do their duty to thy honour and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
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