Separated Due to COVID-19, Family Facing FTD Celebrates Socially Distanced 80th Birthday

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Although unable to physically be with her family on her 80th birthday, Sandra Beltz, who has FTD and lives in a continuing care facility, was recently able to celebrate from a distance.

Due to safety measures meant to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Beltz has been unable to see her family in-person for nearly five months โ€“ a challenge faced by families with loved ones in care facilities across the country. Beltzโ€™s daughter has seen a decline in her motherโ€™s condition during this time, which she attributes to increased isolation and loneliness: โ€œItโ€™s been very difficult,โ€ she told the Morning Call. โ€œSheโ€™s deteriorating, and we hear her deteriorating and her sadness.โ€

To help lift her spirits, a small group of family members and friends gathered outside the window of Beltzโ€™s care facility, located in Allentown, PA, to celebrate her recent birthday. Adorned with party hats and birthday signage, they visited with Beltz from afar with the help of a cell phone. The family, who worked with facility staff to orchestrate the visit, hope to have similar visits in the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for those living with FTD in care facilities, as well as for their families and facility staff. The Summer 2020 issue of AFTDโ€™s Partners in FTD Care newsletter addresses some of those challenges and offers strategies for maximizing care in the face of this new reality.

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