Compulsive behavior

A person with FTD may:

• Check locks and doors over and over
• Have rigid walking patterns
• Hoard items
• Count over and over
• Go to toilet frequently

As the caregiver, you need to decide if the behavior is a problem or just an annoyance that can be ignored. While it seems compulsive to you, it may give the person with FTD a sense of purpose.

If you need to redirect the behavior, try this:

1. Distract the person from what they are doing.
2. Consider that the person may be bored or anxious and trying to find something to do.
3. See if you can use the compulsion as activity or turn it into something useful (like letting the person fold laundry over and over).