Table 1.

Overview of PPA-Specific Group Education and Support Session.

Components of the PPA-specific group education and support session
Disease education presented by the speech pathologist This 45-minute presentation included information on dementia syndromes, PPA and the 3 variants of PPA, the neuroanatomical bases of PPA and causative neurodegenerative conditions, aspects of language processing and cognition, and recent relevant research findings.
Psychoeducational and practical strategies for managing stress, worry, and low mood presented by the clinical psychologist The 1-hour presentation aimed to educate participants, both pwPPA and carers, on understanding anxiety and depression within the context of adjustment to a new diagnosis of degenerative disease, progressive loss of function, and changed relationship roles. Psychoeducation aimed to provide participants with the awareness and recognition of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of anxiety and depression, and an understanding that these can occur for pwPPA and/or carers. The majority of the session focused on providing participants with practical strategies to manage anxiety and depression, using examples relevant to pwPPA, such as returning to a regular meal out with friends (social activity) while considering environmental variables that may affect communication (such as restaurant noise levels, time of day). Caregiver stress was also addressed, including the need to ensure optimal self-care. Participants were provided with a copy of the presentation slides as a resource, which included information on how to seek further psychological support. The clinical psychologist also participated in individual and group discussion with participants following her presentation.
Practical strategies for maximizing communication presented by the speech pathologist This 45-minute presentation focused on practical strategies to maximize communication. As well as education strategies to enhance communication, participants were provided with practical examples of resources such as “in case of emergency” cards, communication books, life story books, “starting a conversation” script cards, and café cards. Strategies to minimize barriers to communication, such as modifying the physical environment and providing facilitators such as appropriate technology, including appropriate apps for tablets and smartphones, were presented. Written educational materials and links to relevant websites that could be shared with nonattending family members and friends were also provided.
Peer support Interaction and discussion during group sessions was encouraged and a midsession break of 30 minutes, with tea and coffee, was included to encourage interaction among participants.

Abbreviations: PPA, primary progressive aphasia; pwPPA, people with primary progressive aphasia.