Dementia: A month in the life (FULL documentary) - BBC News

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Wendy, Keith and Christopher are three of more than 500,000 people with dementia in the UK living at home. For the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme, they filmed parts of their lives over a month.
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[@goodpony1971]

I find this documentary fascinating but my experience with my own mom is SO different. She could never intellectually understand her disease, or talk about it. Just today a therapist canceled on us, saying therapy isn’t indicated bc it can create frustration and anxiety. My dad has pseudo dementia and it’s nightmarish. He stopped showering months ago, then stopped eating, then began refusing all psych meds, and has psychosis too. He’s now in hospice, starving to death, while my mom with dementia can’t understand why we can’t just take him on a walk to get him to be better. It’s all beyond heartbreaking. Cancer would be a treat at this point.

[@gryl7471]

My Mom, then my brother, both died from cancer. It is brutal and sad. Dementia hits so much harder. My Mom got dementia from the cancer swelling her brain. My heart broke. As a caregiver of adults with developmental disabilities, now I am helping them cope with dementia. It's gutting me.

[@margaritasmith2946]

Oh my goodness good pony 💔 How are you doing now?

[@keitholiver7588]

Very sad news to report that dear friend Wendy passed away 3 days ago. An event covered in the national press here in the UK. Christopher also died late last year, leaving just me standing (just!!)

[@desm2467]

❤

[@sherryab3964]

Very sad indeed. Glad you are still keeping on. Rest in peace to Wendy and Christopher.

[@richardgregory3684]

My father had Alzheimer's and it was ghastly. You literally watch everything that makes the person a person slowly die, leaving behind a living shell, who is with you only in body. It's not just forgetfulness either. Dementia can bring with it things like dramatic personality changes so even in the earlier stages when some memory and function is there, the 'real person' is not. but can be replaced with someone who is agressive, abusive, even violent, or disinhibited (so you get things like relieving themselves or disrobing in public). You can also have other psychiatric diseases caused by the ongoing organic damage to the brain, such as paranoia - and when the cause is dementia based, the treatments are generally ineffective whereas in someone without dementia, delusional and psychotic diseases often respond well to drugs. For caregivers the early and late stages are the easiest to cope with: in the early stage, you just get some forgetfulness and confusion, and in the late stages, the person will often become completely passive and unresponsive. It's in the middle stage, which can go on for years, you get what the medics call "challenging behavior". Caregivers often face verbal and physical abuse from a loved one and it is very hard to cope with, and very lonely. Medication only offers a limitted degree of help and basically the demented person ends up being sedated so that they can be cared for. Many caregivers are a spouse and are elderly themselves. People fear cancer - they should fear dementia more. The only minor mercy is that someone with dementia will very often lack the cognitive function to allow them to realise how sick they are. It is the families that suffer most. If I had to say that there is one truly evil thing in the world - it is dementia.

[@lynch8418]

Richard Gregory Very very well said. My mother in law has it currently and my husband and I are her caretakers. We have little children also who is experiencing this too. Your life basically becomes their life. But an extremely stressed life. You cannot leave them alone. It is a very horrible disease. My niece passed away with cancer, that was horrible. There is no doubt there. But in my opinion Alzheimers is worse.

[@SimplyASweetHeart]

This disease has hurt my heart to the core, my grandparents never did any drugs never ate hardly any junk food my great Grandparents didn't have dementia and no one else in the earlier family I had, they say its genetic but the only ones who seem to have gotten it was my grandparents , and it made it worse because when they were in the early stages my aunts kept moving them, they were confused and me being 17 I just knew it wasn't right, the first time ever I saw my grandpa cry, I asked him why was he crying he just shook his head, and he was not into the stages yet I just believe he knew something was wrong, he was a quiet man then he just got really quiet 😭😭 my grandmother it hit her fast and hard after my mom and my uncle died , she kept asking where they were and I'd tell her they died and shed get really mad like I was playing a sick joke on her , she would not take her meds , and also suffered a stroke during this time I HATE HATE THIS DISEASE, I know I shouldn't say this but when they went to be with God , I was alittle relieved because my family wasn't taking care of them well, they were just spending their money😢😢😰😬😧 I just wish I was older so I could of helped them more and took them away from the aweful people I called family, now that they are gone our family fought over their money , even though my aunts almost drained the whole account dry so my mom and my uncles kids only got a few thousand and my aunts all got homes but my Grandparents worked hard so they when they were gone we'd all be taken care of smh its just so sad ...I'd give it all back just to have them by my side again . I miss them too much 😭😢😤

[@The_Life_of_Kay_Gee]

This comment is the cruel truth. My stepfather is living through the middle stage. The rare moments he comes back, he says he wants to die because he doesn’t want to live like this.

[@alicesamekbenoit5990]

*So sad, but anyone who has looked after a loved one with dementia will know how hard it is physically and mentally. My heart goes out to anyone/everyone affected by Alzheimer/Dementia. A huge shout out to any caregiver doing this alone! I feel your pain because I've been there. My mom was also diagnosed in her 60s. Feeling absolutely shattered, heartbroken and drained , working with different physicians across the country with little or no improvement. I was exhausted and overwhelmed to look any further. Crying a lot through frustration, anger and despair, but today with the help of Homeocure Worldwide Natural Medicine, my mother is completely healthy and well again. I think we only need more support and sunlight to overcome this dreadful disease. With Homeocure Worldwide treatment, there is hope* *Check out this blog for useful info️; **homeocureworldwide.blogspot.com*

[@asvpdimez8081]

I’m 22 and my dads 77 and I’m his caregiver he’s in the middle-late stages at the moment but it happened so fast, he was also diagnosed with cancer 1 & a half year ago and is currently receiving chemo but the Alzheimer’s has crept up slowly over the years since I was young but now it is accelerating. This is literally worse than his cancer. Due to all of this he refuses to take his meds and thinks I’m going against him all the time. This is destroying him and he talks about euthanasia all the time. Unless someone has been through it, they will always underestimate how horrific this disease is

[@elihouse1994]

Rest in Peace, Wendy Mitchell. She passed away today (Feb 22nd 2024).

[@mysticalrosemary4661]

Rest in peace

[@BBCNews]

Three people give a personal insight into living with dementia

[@СергейКошкаров-щ3с]

...?...тюрма три архат феминистоксичное отравление ...ничего не пони майю...аж мокак у минетомаргореттетчер " крыша едет"...

[@judeb107]

Thank you for sharing these ...

[@patriciaharden525]

wow! so real life... and sad to think of..but reality is not always easy - is it??

[@rhonaannproxenos5243]

Sad and annoying for the one with the dementia and extremely hard and frustrating for those caring for them. Is the incidence of dementia increasing in our populations and if so why? What is causing it?

[@Axle69e]

+Rhona Ann Proxenos you are right it is Very frustrating I am a caregiver for my 92 year old grandmother that has dementia & sundownig (which they feel unsafe lock all windows & doors but barricade the doors)

[@Isa-cr7fd]

12:20 my grandfather always says the same thing lol We’ve asked him many times a few years ago and he always said he didn’t care as the memories don’t exist to him anymore so he doesn’t feel like he’s missing out on anything. My grandfather today is in a nursing home but he’s still bright and bubbly and although he doesn’t remember our names anymore he knows he loves us and tells us constantly.

[@keitholiver7588]

Remembering the love is more important than the names

[@vikinghex]

my sweety of 60 years has it too I had to fight to get her out of the hospital the ward was disgusting After visiting I would cry in the car park I didn't know whether I was crying for the ladies or me in there most of them had no visitors no one came the nurses were trying there best but it was piss poor when I got her home she stank and I have been washing and changing her clothes brushing her hair there were more people handing out the meals than nurses I tried the food garbage. my jack russel lives better I took tins of soup they would not let me heat it up took it flask. grub for those poor ladies was crap god bless them they deserved better the system would not be there if these ladies had not worked for it shame on us all but the government are a disgrace

[@mr.mediocregamer9653]

I'm a social worker in a long term care home. Dementia is a nightmare. There are a few who are lucky and are "pleasantly confused" but the majority of dementia patients are constantly terrified, paranoid, angry, frustrated, confused and lost. They spend their days seeing and hearing things that are scary to them, they wander the halls like zombies looking for loved ones who they will never find, sitting on chairs waiting for buses to take them home that will never come or screaming and calling out in terror because they are confused about where they are. Please, take it from me, if your country has a Medical Assistance in Death program, talk to your loved one early enough to sign up for it so that they can die with dignity when the time comes. The slow death due to dementia is a torture and no way to spend your last days.

[@mdb1239]

Have YOU signed up the Medical Assistance in Death program????!!!!????

[@mr.mediocregamer9653]

@@mdb1239 You can't sign up for it in advance, as though it were an advanced directive. Currently you can only request it when you are of sound mind and either death is imminent, or you are suffering physical or mental distress so profound that you wish to seek death. So at this time, I wouldn't qualify. But once I'm a senior at the stage where it's time to go into Long Term Care, yes, I will talk to my doctor about MAID so I can avoid the "reward" after a hard lived life.

[@veraluxmundi2032]

I worry about social workers who advocate medical assistance in dying. I would not want my relatives or myself to be in your care.

[@mr.mediocregamer9653]

@veraluxmundi2032 Why? You giggle at the idea of your loved one laying in their own filth for hours because they refuse to let anyone clean them up? Or eat their own feces? Yeah, that's a thing many of them do once they have advanced dementia. Or how about the standard wandering the halls, crying out for their loved ones and going into violent shaking fits of tears because they can't find them. Oh, yes. That's so much better than having a day where family gathers around gran gran, spend the day listening to her stories, telling them how much she loves them, saying goodbye and then letting her drift to sleep painlessly, with her dignity and grace intact.

[@mr.mediocregamer9653]

@@veraluxmundi2032 And I worry about how much you actually love your family member if you read my original post and still want them to suffer like that so you don't have to feel uncomfortable.

[@ilya_go5919]

I think stroke and dementia are the worst ;ххх!! My grandmother died of dementia. It was so awful. She was the person I loved the most. Nobody deserve this horror.

[@jessiejames7492]

+Iliana Todorova so right. i hate it for the patient but mostly i feel for the caregivers. they suffer the worst..

[@ilya_go5919]

Yes that's one of the reason I said ''dementia is the worst thing in life'' And unfortunate it can't be cured ;(.

[@ilya_go5919]

@ron marninks Hipohondria is also very bad and every kind of anxiety

[@alicesamekbenoit5990]

*So sad, but anyone who has looked after a loved one with dementia will know how hard it is physically and mentally. My heart goes out to anyone/everyone affected by Alzheimer/Dementia. A huge shout out to any caregiver doing this alone! I feel your pain because I've been there. My mom was also diagnosed in her 60s. Feeling absolutely shattered, heartbroken and drained , working with different physicians across the country with little or no improvement. I was exhausted and overwhelmed to look any further. Crying a lot through frustration, anger and despair, but today with the help of Homeocure Worldwide Natural Medicine, my mother is completely healthy and well again. I think we only need more support and sunlight to overcome this dreadful disease. With Homeocure Worldwide treatment, there is hope* *Check out this blog for useful info️; **homeocureworldwide.blogspot.com*

[@ilya_go5919]

@@alicesamekbenoit5990 Thats good! :)

[@melmckenna4599]

I love that man's attitude. My mum has dementia and it's heart breaking to see her deteriorating

[@rachelhatton9344]

Eye opener about the feelings. Not remembering the conversation but remembering 'how it made me feel.' I try my best to be sympathetic with my mum instead of snapping. Difficult when your doing the job of caring 24/7.

[@keitholiver7588]

We are ALL human and realisation is the first step. It is hard so please do not feel guilty and try to care for yourself as well as your loved one

[@janetjames1562]

Very touching. I like how the program humanizes the disease experience. And we realize it can happen to the best of us.

[@quy-kimthai8004]

Thank you for sharing ❤️ Dementia is my family illness My mum lived with dementia for years My older brother also lived with dementia Dementia start effecting me Im 47 single mum of 6... Every day life is a battle I tried so hard I tried very hard To focus on daily routines And battling with dementia Family support and love ones understanding Totally help I just hope one day the society and the community and others people will understand and more accepting so make it more easy for us ... Because it s a disease It s a illness It s not the patients faults...

[@keitholiver7588]

Love and best wishes to you x

[@babajohnson9276]

Take turmeric with ginger and keep praying. Faith without work is dead

[@alicesamekbenoit5990]

*So sad, but anyone who has looked after a loved one with dementia will know how hard it is physically and mentally. My heart goes out to anyone/everyone affected by Alzheimer/Dementia. A huge shout out to any caregiver doing this alone! I feel your pain because I've been there. My mom was also diagnosed in her 60s. Feeling absolutely shattered, heartbroken and drained , working with different physicians across the country with little or no improvement. I was exhausted and overwhelmed to look any further. Crying a lot through frustration, anger and despair, but today with the help of Homeocure Worldwide Natural Medicine, my mother is completely healthy and well again. I think we only need more support and sunlight to overcome this dreadful disease. With Homeocure Worldwide treatment, there is hope* *Check out this blog for useful info️; **homeocureworldwide.blogspot.com*

[@TattedIrishxxx]

Oh my god, I am so very sorry!

[@luckyotter623]

The two men in this film are surprisingly far along in the progression of Alzheimers, especially the last who was diagnosed 7 years ago (which means he must have had the disease for a decade or longer). According to the normal progression of the stages, which last approximately 2 years each (and diagnosis of Alzheimers isn't generally made until Stage 3 or 4), both these men at the time of filming would have been in the moderate stages of the disease. And yet both seem remarkably aware and communicate quite well considering how far along they are. Of course, these could be their "good days." Keith in particular, as a former teacher, has developed a number of tricks to help himself remember and appear less advanced in his dementia than he actually is. But, as he points out, it is extremely frustrating. I can see on his face the stress of having to work so hard at remembering things the rest of us take for granted. The last man, Christopher, seems quite aware of his surroundings but he has a strange fixed stare you often see in moderate to late stage Alzheimers patients, and the disease is beginning to take away his ability to communicate clearly, and his wife often has to step in to help him.

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you for your insightful comments which are pretty much correct. Support and connections with others - even harder at present are the best counters against the frustration and fog which dementia brings.

[@StephenOverlock]

These three brave souls shared many meaningful thoughts, one was Keith's about remembering how it feels---so true. Everyone needs to hear this and I know how true it is because I have cared at home for my sister for a few years now. She is a little bit further along than Keith and definitely can still feel hurt. A powerful documentary, thank you.

[@chaunteilnelson8196]

May God Bless You and Of Course Your Sister.

[@IwasBlueb4]

youre a good man, Stephen

[@tykkeo]

My grandmother died last week and she suffered from severe dementia and she could not recognise anyone not even her own son she died aged 86, she lived a full life

[@janetbrowning9089]

The last couple seemed to be able to pretty much get a handle on things together...I loved the way they could laugh off a lot of things...I think it's true, a lot of times in our lives, when we can laugh at ourselves, instead of taking everything so seriously...even though this has to be a terribly difficult time...laughter would have to help with some of it. I so wish I could have had a little of this lighter time, with my late hubby before he passed away with his 3rd bout with cancer...at no time, did there seem anything or anyway to laugh at any of it...some of these diseases take a person a little piece at a time...a lot of it is physical pain too, like with cancer...my husband's eventually went to his brain too, and it became really hard for us. At first I cared for him at home...for 13 months and then we wound up at the VA hospital...I went with him in the ambulance and never came home until after he passed away. Wherever he was, was home for me as well and he would have been more lost and more saddened by this whole ordeal, had I not been there with him...I knew that so well about him. That will be 25 years ago this Dec 2019...there is still not one day that passes that I still don't miss him dearly...💖

[@flamechick6]

Wow, this was very good. just a small clip from their lives. I felt really good at the end the last guy was very positive and had a good point I think we should all try and live by. He says you live you life in one direction so keep going to the next moment, don't look back and be afraid.

[@BBCNews]

Thanks for your comment

[@penylayne]

Such lovely ppl. Wonderful documentary.

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you - comments like these help a lot with contending with dementia

[@MaryJaneHancock]

Eye opening look at the disease. Thank you for posting.

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you that was our hope

[@DONALD1951]

I had the same experience as the first woman...lost my sense of where I was..how to get out... Mine was at Home Depot. Been there 100 times..a couple weeks ago I got very disoriented and did not know how to leave an aisle...felt trapped for a few minutes..then the fog cleared.. Recently diagnosed with Levy Body Dementia.

[@keitholiver7588]

I wish you well

[@alicesamekbenoit5990]

*So sad, but anyone who has looked after a loved one with dementia will know how hard it is physically and mentally. My heart goes out to anyone/everyone affected by Alzheimer/Dementia. A huge shout out to any caregiver doing this alone! I feel your pain because I've been there. My mom was also diagnosed in her 60s. Feeling absolutely shattered, heartbroken and drained , working with different physicians across the country with little or no improvement. I was exhausted and overwhelmed to look any further. Crying a lot through frustration, anger and despair, but today with the help of Homeocure Worldwide Natural Medicine, my mother is completely healthy and well again. I think we only need more support and sunlight to overcome this dreadful disease. With Homeocure Worldwide treatment, there is hope* *Check out this blog for useful info️; **homeocureworldwide.blogspot.com*

[@lasthuman1970]

wow this video made me understand my dad's disease. he's 75 years old and as soon as we discovered that he's suffering from dementia. I started to search for the best ways to help him. and after few months he's half way better than before.

[@2eleven48]

last human...but you don't say what you found to help him to be improved. You need to share this with the two Alzheimer organisations in the UK and the USA., whom I am sure will feel enlightened. Robert.

[@carmenavila9604]

What help him

[@lucieann21]

I love the way Christopher’s wife speaks to him. Great documentary Thankyou for sharing a part of your journey with us.

[@IwasBlueb4]

im glad u made that point..yes so dignified.....shes very capable, too

[@ruthb.9602]

Sorry to disagree. I noticed that she makes him a question and urges him for a prompt answer. Perhaps he needs a little more time to think of the a nswer, but she responds quite soon. This is my humble opinión.

[@1dirtywings]

Life is so unpredictable.

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

What made us what we are decides to die without consulting us and leaves us grasping at the pieces to put together again having never even known they existed.

[@leileashaw476]

Michael Harr

[@jessiejames7492]

if they are able to speak about it , theyre not that bad ....I take care of my 87 year old mother . iTS hell on earth. Many caregivers have no help themselves. Many times they feel lost, cant work, finaces problem. etc...some commit suicide or even kill their family members...I know! IT IS THE WORSE DISEASE EVER! Because it doesnt kill one person over a long long period. it kills the caregivers too..

[@MonstaMunch101]

You ok dude?

[@2eleven48]

jessie james....sweetheart, how are you? There is no way that you should have cared for your mother on your own. I know everything you are saying. I hope you are well. Robert.

[@vharipaterson4801]

jessie james is

[@jujuoliver6959]

I know this comment was done 3 years ago but couldn’t agree more. My Grandmother saw reptiles in the bath, screamed for her long dead husband in the night and tell my Mum he was here in the room with us. She accused rest home staff of stealing her money when she went into the home so my parents could have a short holiday. Needless to say they hadn’t stolen it but she yelled the place down so much so that Mum and Dad had to cut their short break down even shorter. It was an awful time for my Mother who adored her Mother in turn but found it hard coping with my Gran living with us and I was about 10 to 13 at the time so my Mum had a young family so it was very difficult for Mum.. These lovely people are at the beginning of a very sad decline. Every one dementia and Alzheimer’s case can often be different in their progress and how they react with it. Very sad.

[@christosantonopoulos2018]

You know It got me thinking, having studied psychology at Alison Institute in Ireland and having attained my Diploma in Psychology their, I can say that Psychologically our character is generally a build up and composition of developmental psychology that our environments and people around us have shaped us into, this developmental psychology continues throughout our entire lives to continually, (together with personal choices) mold us into our older and more matured selves. With dementia, have your whole life in some cases scrubbed from your memory would make us no more than an infant toddler again. For those that have experienced a painful life it could be a blessing to them, for those that have had a happy and fruitful life it would obviously be a disaster................many of us try so hard to educate and grow ourselves into becoming more knowledgeable and wise human beings only in some cases to have it stripped away, but not just that we also have the deep love we feel from long established relationships stripped away from us where we no longer feel love towards the one's we cared about as we have no memories to support that love. Dementia is an evil and cruel disease. I hope one day humanity see's a day where this affliction upon our specie is nothing but what it stood for a lost memory in life's existence.

[@rebeccamorris7786]

To each who gave to this presentation to help those who will follow thank you😍

[@georgiesands]

The follow-up program 3 years later is here - www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05zqw0m. Watch to see how Wendy, Keith and Christopher progressed.

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you for spotting this and it's good to be reminded of it

[@georgiesands]

@@keitholiver7588 Thank you for sharing your experience. Hope you keep well for a long time more.

[@desm2467]

thank you for sharing this.

[@sallyclay1974]

I retired in Danbury, Ct, in 2006, and my younger sister retired in Ridgefield, Ct, in 2014. She was a journalist for NBC, in Rockefeller Center, for over 30 yrs. She was a world traveler, and received the Peabody Award. When she retired, she started forgetting things, almost immediately. She was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, which is part Parkinsons. Now 5 yrs later, she is wheelchair bound, diapers, spoon fed, and round the clock caregivers in her home.She is almost non verbal, and her throat is starting to constrict. Blessings and prayers to your friends and families.

[@keitholiver7588]

Blessings to you too. The is no doubt at all - It is a wretched disease

[@smmn722]

My father is having it ! It’s so hard because he don’t say much about his problems and this video helped me understand little bit ! 😞

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you, comments such as yours help us to feel it was worth doing

[@magdaurieta6072]

Thank you ❤

[@gaenordeacon9431]

I worry that I won’t have the patience to behave like this if I’m in the same situation

[@johncullers]

Going thru tge very thing with my partner I love him so much it's very hard ... He is 60 years old. My mother had this also lost her in 2019.

[@lorrainecortes7296]

I'm so sorry for this thank-you for your story.Gods peace be with you♥️.

[@joeldecoster8816]

And they all say "I wanna go home'. WE ALL WANT TO GO HOME.

[@apdroidgeek1737]

Lol i keep saying that whenever my patient says that cuz i work night shift for 12 hrs and was like.. "i know... i wanna go home yoo"

[@JaydeLarue]

I understand when she said DX is a relief. I had ms and prior to DX was the scariest time of my life! Not knowing is awful! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@macclift9956]

Wonderful people; an inspiration!

[@josephvasvas8115]

nice to see themsharing. it will help people with alheimer illness

[@pricea3030]

100 year old Aunt just dignosed. We knew while back she had it. Couldn't remember who she was talking to. 😔

[@birkit1133]

I love Christopher's spirit as he rejects fear and embraces the joy in knowing, "...there's ALWAYS something going forward!" Every day should be greeted that way: as an adventure. How fortunate they are to have that.

[@taxusbaccata5961]

I tend to be a depressed soul, so when I would think there is something going forward, I would envision the edge of a cliff.

[@richrocketlll]

Continue to move forward. I like that approach to live no matter what comes your way.

[@macclift9956]

One wonders if it isn't some medication or other that is causing this early dementia: medication for hypertension perhaps? Anti depressants or sleeping tablets? Statins? It could be a number of things but the clue is in *what we are all doing (the one thing), that is causing this!* What is the *common denominator?* I hope it isn't the *huge amounts of olive oil we're all chugging down with abandon* because "they" say it's healthy! Perhaps it's just clogging up the works: making the blood too thick, or something! Probably not, but we have to keep on looking for the culprit!

[@richardgregory3684]

Dementia has been known through human history, it's more common now because it is primarily a diseas of old age: very rare below 65, and a majority of cases are 80+. Even fifty years ago most people did not live into their 80's, and it was common blieved that forgetfulness was simply a consequence of age. Early onset is different, and it is known to have a strong genetic link: if your parents got dementia in their 80's, the inherited risk to you is very low. If one of them got it in their 50's, the risk to you is significant.

[@epakerd]

There’s a link to aspartame artificialsweetners to increase dementia

[@apdroidgeek1737]

Dementia is not a disease its a symptoms.. human brain starts to degrade at the age of 21.. we are not immortal and we definitely are not meant to live past 70

[@sandstew2697]

Thanks so much for continuing your stories, you are helping so many people.

[@SimonKelk]

Knowing someone who just got diagnosed a week ago, these people look like they are 'normal' compared to my own experience of someone who is losing their mind, screaming for help and has no idea how to do anything yet the next morning they are reasonably normal again.

[@cindy1274]

God Bless you! I'm retired but use to work with Dementia I loved my residents so very much! I helped them feel better by loving them and meeting them in their world s that they wouldn't hurt so much.

[@keitholiver7588]

I am sure that people you helped to care for really appreciated this and loved you in return. Thank you

[@ZainaArekat]

This is scary!

[@BBCNews]

It certainly puts things into perspective

[@ZainaArekat]

Indeed. Great documentary.

[@walkingsneese3431]

Zaina Arekat more like hell

[@garygreen226]

Zaina Arekat yes it is

[@bagpiper4weddings]

my mother as just been diagnosed, I dread going round to her house. throwing things at me, telling me to get out, go home you don't live here, or I want to go out and where are we going and she sits there all day with her hat and coat on thinking she is going somewhere. and if you ask her a normal question she just looks at you

[@c48622]

Alan Gagan 🙏💟

[@milne1985]

Alan Gagan take her out if you can?

[@trishs2cats83]

Hugs to you, Alan. I'm sorry for what your mother is going through, and how it's effecting you as well. My father had Alzheimer's.

[@trishs2cats83]

Hugs to you too, hon. I'm sorry for your loss.

[@garygreen226]

Alan Gagan the most important thing is you are going round there

[@keitholiver7588]

I have just watched this little film for the first time in ages and have no recall of what I said and what the film contains but I do know in my heart that it was good to be a part of it and that Jim Reed from the BBC did a great job. Good to see my dear late friends Wendy and Christopher again on the film x

[@carrolabrams2659]

Thank you for sharing your life. I hope this reply finds you well 🤗❤️🐢

[@keitholiver7588]

@@carrolabrams2659 thank you

[@JennyjuiceReal]

❤

[@hawes-wintersart]

This was 8 years ago. Are there any updates on these 3 people?

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you for asking. Dementia is progressive and times are tougher now. I am still in contact with Wendy but sadly not Christopher - unsure how he is now.

[@johannaetrishamorgan6850]

Thank you for sharing 👍 stay blessed 🙏

[@cks57youto53]

My dad is absent minded all his life , he has not been diagnosed with dementia just absent mindedness ! Hes 80 yrs old ! Still working an mu mom is 75 and she still works ! Been married over 60 yrs ! Its horrible to think they can fall mentally ! But so far they are ok ! God bless those with dementia !

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

Nice to hear that for some reason

[@macclift9956]

It *is* helpful to listen to your stories and your experiences!

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

I think I'd be planning how end it. But I don't expect the world wants to go there. Maybe the disease itself stops such thoughts, but for me I don't think it would. But I don't know even now as I write this. If you're feeling happy even if you can't remember your friends and family, and can't do things you used to do, then why would you want it to end any more than any life form. I love the practical efforts these people made, trying to cheat the part of their brain that left them down.

[@The_Life_of_Kay_Gee]

It doesn’t. At least not for my step dad. The rare moments he snaps out of it, he says he wants to die because he doesn’t want to live with this. Horrible disease.

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

​@@The_Life_of_Kay_Gee Thanks for your frankness in expressing this.

[@keitholiver7588]

Understand your views. One needs to know that one is receiving love and support which in turn contribute to hope - without recognising these, even when offered and given by others draws one closer to thinking of the exit door. Thank you for these comments.

[@brendanpilkington1446]

I’ve been reading Wendy Mitchell’s book on her dementia experiences. A very interesting, informative and emotional book

[@keitholiver7588]

Wendy's book is great. Now why not try mine ?! Available from Amazon and all good sites/book sellers - Dear Alzheimer's is the title. Many thanks. K

[@brendanpilkington1446]

Keith Oliver one page at a time 😉 definitely will read your book too. My grandmother is 91 and has dementia so anything I can use to make me understand the disease I am greatfull for ☺️

[@luckyotter623]

@@keitholiver7588 Keith, how are you doing? I was very impressed with how well you communicated so far into this illness. I would love to read your book.

[@mionnepallidare8116]

Thanks, pictures do exist. They're a big help for those people who have dementia.

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you that is why we helped to make this little film

[@PM-gx2bp]

They were diagnosed so young.

[@dakotacrandall8521]

Im 24 and have it. Everyday struggles and times where i go minutes hours sometimes days without knowing and even as far as days blend together. Years even

[@cch9234]

Hope you can stay strong:-)

[@keitholiver7588]

Sending you my best wishes and love. Take care

[@apdroidgeek1737]

Wow so young! Thats kinda crazy

[@savannahjackson133]

My grandpa he is my everything he is like a father and a mother to me combined always makes sure im okay I am so scared because he forgets alot and he has heart problems and im afriad he will forget to take his heart pills i think he has dementia and it's like watching the mind of your bestfriend slowly fade away is like watching everything you have ever known just disappear I wont be able to live without him he is my every thing I wouldnt be alive if it werent for him each night I pray lord just give me Another day with my bestfriend that's I ask he is the answer to my prayer that i thought would forever be gone unanswered he is my life support unplug it and im out if he dies might as well dog a hole and throw me in it aswell

[@dana628]

Please Savannah, be strong for your Grandpa so you can help him just like he has always been there for you. He would want you to live your life to the fullest. You can honor his life by living your life the way he taught you. You are his legacy which is meant to be shared with the world.

[@esthermiller2713]

I personally believe that if a person has to live through dementia, being already a follower of Jesus would be a huge comfort & encouragement through it all. Even when the person no longer has the ability to remember who Jesus is, the fact that that person had become a member of God’s family previously would result in being looked after by their Father in heaven. That person would be given a perfect peace which only comes from that personal relationship with Christ that sees them through every difficulty & challenge. Jesus is the only PERMANENT perfect solution to every concern & suffering experienced by mankind.

[@mandlin4602]

I have ADD and dyslexia, it’s actually pretty bad I just have a shit tonne of coping mechanisms and high general intelligence. So it evens out. I found working in a care home I could decode dementia patients with word mixups easily because my brain mixes words up in a similar way. I also tend to forget similar things, I think maybe the difference is it’s just word retrieval and memory for words and numbers. But it’s so weird how similar some of the things these people experience are to ADD and dyslexia 😧

[@lynhilgenberg33]

Fabulous! So very touching!

[@truth1901]

MSM tablets along with high dosage Vit C, D3 , K2 , B3, B12 and multi minerals extra zinc , magnesium, copper iron

[@2eleven48]

truth1901....oh, shut up with your silly nonsense. Do you really think this treatment will ultimately cure the 44 million people experiencing Alzheimer's in the world? Robert.

[@szqsk8]

2eleven48 👏👏👏 👍

[@EvaJakubinyi]

truth1901 You are absolutely right, especially B12. There is a wonderful book by Sally Pacholok Could it be B12...The brain needs lots of cholesterol, good fats. Neurons need a lot of B12. Wendy mentioned she had a wonderful diet...I am wondering if it is a low fat plant based diet. Did anyone check these people’s B12 level? Once they were giving injections of this vitamin...but nowadays, everything is taken care by wonderful drugs...meaning poisonous chemicals. Very sad and infuriating. Yes, yes, a simple vitamin and the correct diet can do wonders do the human body.

[@birkit1133]

Yes, especially B12. It was standard treatment for depression & dementia at one point in medical history.

[@cog-talk9612]

This video is also explaining dementia in general for public in a Persian language from the grandchild point of view: kzbin.info/www/bejne/najIiKqHlNxkf9Usi=0CGJnO1hhlQ83QQa

[@Kitsco45]

I think I'm glad I got in photography. Especially happy moments. Like when two people greet and hug each other or people cheering. When she said "I like looking at pictures. I feel happiness" I'm honored to capture happy for them.

[@jsdad48]

My grandma... Nanny got sick in the mid 70s, she had alzheimers she lasted to 1991 love her and this is so sad. Rip Nanny.

[@notused.]

I had my first day working in a care home today. A lady on the dementia wing was shuffling along with a walking frame saying "Please God let me go home, please God let me go home...". It broke me witnessing that!

[@woodnymph01]

My grandmother does that around the house, she’s lived here 10 years but thinks her home is the town she lived in as a child. It’s incredibly sad but also unbearably frustrating as their behaviour becomes so disruptive, especially at night and there’s no way of reasoning with them. Even if they understand they forget within a breath.

[@notused.]

That's very upsetting for you to witness x

[@alicesamekbenoit5990]

*So sad, but anyone who has looked after a loved one with dementia will know how hard it is physically and mentally. My heart goes out to anyone/everyone affected by Alzheimer/Dementia. A huge shout out to any caregiver doing this alone! I feel your pain because I've been there. My mom was also diagnosed in her 60s. Feeling absolutely shattered, heartbroken and drained , working with different physicians across the country with little or no improvement. I was exhausted and overwhelmed to look any further. Crying a lot through frustration, anger and despair, but today with the help of Homeocure Worldwide Natural Medicine, my mother is completely healthy and well again. I think we only need more support and sunlight to overcome this dreadful disease. With Homeocure Worldwide treatment, there is hope* *Check out this blog for useful info️; **homeocureworldwide.blogspot.com*

[@notused.]

Alice, that sounds really difficult, and so young to be going through that in her early 60s. Goodness me. You've been through it. I'm so pleased that Homeocare has helped your mum like that - how amazing. I will have a look into it. It's so difficult for families at the moment with having to go through seeing their loved one for 14hours a week (2hr visits per day), to 20mins a week.

[@luckyotter623]

I remember my mother in law Helen used to say that when she got into the moderate to late stages, often during sundowning. I sure wish I'd known as much about Alzheimers then as I do now. I would have been so much better as a caregiver. Helen passed in 2003. She's home with God now.

[@nuwoman1828]

😢😢😢😢 my mom has vascular dementia.

[@anag2749]

I'm sorry 😞

[@teresadavis1377]

Such beautiful souls.

[@sharonrodriques83]

Shalom thanks for sharing lives of beautiful people and what we are facing Shalom

[@woodnymph01]

To clarify as there seems to be some confusion: dementia and Alzheimer’s are not the same thing. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease with a specific cause. Dementia different types/causes but will often accompany Alzheimer’s, the most common being vascular dementia.

[@lovelyday449]

Alzheimers is a kind of dementia.

[@angelaprice9696]

I have both and I’m scared and sad

[@paulwoodburn3735]

amazing people

[@wirgle]

merci beaucoup Thanks fellow travellers

[@truthfulkindness]

Thank each of you for sharing your lives. This film was chosen to be included in our May Newsletter "Symptom Perspectives" at paper.li/f-1408973778 . -- Tru

[@new-knowledge8040]

Been there. But came back. I know what it is like to be one step away from being a complete vegetable. It took 8 years to relearn and recover, although I never did relearn how to write, other than write my signature. The cause of the dementia just went right over the heads of the doctors for years. The cause was a nasty case of hypoglycemia.

[@laurietravels1188]

Same here! Feeling of being lost!!!

[@nickicouture7297]

I loved my dementia patients so so so much when I was an STNA. I actually preferred the long term care wing.

[@andrewhazenberg3398]

I would not want to have my friends and family see me deteriorate if I was to ever be diagnosed with alzheimers disease. I would absolutely find some way to end my life on my terms .

[@kenco3370]

Just found out my mum has dementia she’s 76 she’s really getting bad she’s repeating herself all the time she’s really not looking after herself she needs help but don’t know where to start 😞

[@taarofihri-qo2wn]

Dementia causes

[@MsRwise]

Thank Toft sharing. Something like this is happening to me it happen to Mom too. What is the solution? What foods shall I eat? Games for memory? Celulares have spoil the world? No reason to memorize numbers or locations! LETS DO SOMETHING

[@randompoigon4583]

4:47 “love love love love love love love great British baker”

[@bhav213]

People who debate against the right to die should read some of these comments first. Prayers go out to all. To live in a horror movie, so sad.

[@dianataylordeguerrero3888]

What lovely people.

[@azaramoon4027]

Iseem to be getting this disease, but my spiritual beliefs, and no fear of death, makes it more bearable.

[@robstimson4234]

l am at 9:18 and the fella's wife said 'you've got to cope'. Well, that's an option. Or one can punt out. With my family history, back to my maternal grandmother, Alzheimer's or FTD is a likelihood for me. l would rather pass away than disintegrate. On my children's behalf, l would rather they got over the shock if me saying 'l'm done' than them experiencing however many years of care-taking hell. Where their Dad essentially decomposes in front of their eyes. Perhaps it is taboo to talk of these things, and l don't care. Alzheimer's is worse than a 'you are going to die at midnight' death sentence. lt is worse than renal failure, liver failure, drowning, having a tree fall on your car. lt consumes your memories, your sense of humor, your ability to walk down the street, write a check, your personality, your light! Ultimately, your basic functions, then you die. lf a pet is obviously in pain, very unhappy, moribund, we put them to sleep. We treat them with more common sense and compassion than we treat our loved ones.

[@abelvenn1601]

God, yeah. All the stories I’ve read, basically say “my parent died years ago, we’re just waiting for the body to catch up.” Absolutely crushing. I believe the only “saving” grace is that, hopefully, towards the very end, they don’t harbor guilt for… getting sick.

[@user-kc8oe5vr1x]

great perspective

[@Joeladgra]

Never say “can you remember?” to any dementia patient. 😢

[@lindaowens65]

Thank you.

[@roberth.5938]

Is this the whole film? If not, where can I find it? Thanks for any help

[@pricea3030]

Demetia same as Alzheimer? I thought it was different.

[@keitholiver7588]

Dementia is an overall term for a number of diseases and Alzheimer's is the most common.

[@apdroidgeek1737]

Dementia is a symptom while alzheimer is a disease

[@joshuafletcher3107]

brain HQ is brilliant for all of these symptoms

[@Seazofcheese420]

I’m just ending it if this happens to me.

[@brianna094]

God bless this man ❤️

[@snj6669]

Great short film

[@keitholiver7588]

Thank you that means a lot

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

Does anyone know who made the 70s documentary about a young mans father who slowly deteriorated? I believe it took place in the northeast united states

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

It was not a famous actor. It was a pbs broadcast that I saw in 1975,with a similar title. This documentary is etched in my mind because the year before,I lost my grandmother in a similar way

[@michaelangelo8139]

The First Lady seems to remember every detail of her experience . What’s that about ? ? ?

[@aprilapril2]

Michael Angelo dementia isn’t usually a straight line decline....you usually lose short term memories first, like what you did a few minutes ago.

[@maviscoils9672]

In the early stages people have good and bad days and know what is happening to them the later stage she will remember very little.

[@lindadiskin910]

My mom had dementia attack me one. Night hurt my finger she was off the wall calling me names denying i was her daughter hitting me kicking me calling me ugly I could never b her daughter it was more sad than frightening she grabbed the scarf off my coat and said she was going to choke me with it it was horrible I ended up calling the police she had to b picked up by ambulance it was a night I will never forget she is gone due to the dementia it is very awful and sad!!

[@judydennison3735]

she was no longer herself.

[@childofgod8365]

Where is she now the first lady

[@dementianinja]

Terribly heartbreaking😔

[@moltrans7260]

major brain glitching, pretty much like a failing computer or something. I truly believe that there is a cure for everything, one day one day, technology is getting so advanced so quick. I'm sure one day there will be a way to replace every part of of the body with a improved, advanced robotic part that won't fail. Maybe it's just me crazy talking though, who knows...

[@MichaelHarrisIreland]

I like it. We will definitely be able to improve things.