What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?

Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is language disorder that gradually impairs a person’s ability to speak or comprehend language over time. The onset of PPA is subtle, with symptoms arising slowly over a period of at least two years.  PPA occurs because the brain regions that control language become diseased and degenerate, resulting in communication difficulties that may mimic broader dementia.

PPA is a type of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) that is caused  by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Researchers are working hard to find out why this happens and how it damages brain cells.

People with PPA are fighting against a condition in which they will continue to lose their ability to speak, read, write, and/or understand what they hear. However, individuals with PPA benefit during the course of their illness by acquiring new communication strategies from speech-language pathologists.

MnCAN offers three programs for persons with PPA and their care partners:

1. MnCAN’s Staying Connected: An Education and Support Program for Persons with PPA  has the potential to fill theexisting void and provide education for better outcomes, planning and support for families dealing with PPA.
   
2. PPA Converstion group – a group of persons with PPA who have completed the Staying Connected class meet weekly to have conversation and gain confidence while talking with other people. The group is facilitated by a speech langauge pathologist.
3. PPA Support group – virtual or in-person options for persons with PPA and care partners who have completed the Staying Connected class to have an opportunity to gain support and edcuation during their journey with PPA.

Staying Connected PPA Education Class

Staying Connected is an introductory 8-week session for persons with PPA and their care partners offered by MnCAN two times per year.

MnCAN strongly encourages a care partner (friend or family member) to also participate in the full class.

The Staying Connected program is designed for people diagnosed with PPA in the first 1-2 years.  Following completion of the Staying Connected program, a monthly PPA support group is offered.

The overall program goals are to offer support to both the care partner AND person with PPA.

Some of the topics and conversations include:

• characteristics and challenges of PPA
• coping with limitations and language decline
• increasing self-confidence
• discover and practice different strategies that maximize communication between care partners and individuals with PPA
• learn more about different communication supportive techniques
• provide a safe environment to express and discuss concerns among peers
• mental health and self-care
• aging safely in place

Over the course of 8 weekly 2-hour sessions, a speech-language pathologist with the support of graduate student(s), provides education about Primary Progressive Aphasia. The facilitators teach strategies using Supported Conversation and Life Participation models that can be adapted throughout the progression of the disorder.

Upcoming Class Details:

Click Link To Open: Staying Connected Flyer – Winter 2025

PPA Support Group

This is an ongoing support group for persons with PPA and their care partners who have completed the 8-week Staying Connected Program.  The purpose of this group is to provide ongoing support and education during the journey with PPA for both care partners and persons with PPA.

The Support Group has an in-person option OR virtual option. The group is facilitated by a Speech-Language Pathologist.

Please refer to the MnCAN calendar for meeting details.