When Leanne’s father was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), his family knew the prognosis was not good. The average survival time for FTD is typically 3-5 years, and Leanne’s father has already had the disease for two years. Leanne and her brother really want to spend quality time with their father, but they’ve come to realize that a diagnosis of a terminal illness brings with it an emotional roller coaster and a reshuffling of priorities. How can they cope?

When someone we love has a devastating and debilitating disease such as FTD, our entire world instantly comes to a screeching halt. Unfortunately, there is no magic formula to cope. Although this can be one of the most difficult things you encounter, there are things you can do to help yourself while you help your loved one.

Click "Read more" below for more details on things you can do to help yourself while you help your terminally ill loved one, things you should be aware of when a loved one is dying, and a checklist you can use of what to do when a loved one passes away, to keep a sad event from becoming even more painful and more stressful.