Galen's Mother: A Journey Into Dementia Documented Over The Years

[@sandraperales996]

😭😭😭You had me at “Over The Rainbow.” You are such a wonderful son and great human being. Whether she remembers or not, she will know in her heart that she was truly loved and cherished. God bless you and your family and may your faith and love be your strength.💕

[@catherinerankmore711]

Yeah same here that finished me when he sang over the rainbow. Beautiful and sad all the same time

[@laeiyal7661]

Wow Mary the care giver she has patiences and know how to deal with dementia patient.

[@kwanhaieng6381]

.............mlllllllllp0 0:55 0:57 0:58 0:59 1:00 1:01 1:01 1:01 1:03 1:04

[@maggiekrishnan8074]

Thank you, Galen, for all that you are doing for your mum. God will bless you for honoring her and caring for her. It will make you a better person.

[@jingmok]

Galen really touched my heart. You can feel his love and heart break.

[@karlchandran4631]

Coping with a parent with dementia is beyond difficult! Having the resources to help and care for the parent with dementia helps immensely. The emotional effect of watching someone deteriorate in front of your eyes is heartbreaking.

[@tzk667]

Galen, if you ever come across this comment, I just want you to know that deep down, they are actually aware of who you are. My grandma’s condition was very similar to your mum’s and during her last days in the hospital after she contracted pneumonia and suffered from a major heart attack, the nurses told us that they’ve observed that every time she hears our voices, the ekg monitor would always show a stabilised reading as compared to the other people who came to visit her since they rarely spent time with my grandma on a regular basis. On a normal day, sometimes she would remember my name, other times she doesn’t so I’ve long came to accept the fact that she might not really know who I am so hearing that from the nurses really comforted me. I think what you’re doing for your mum is great and I’ll think that as long as you spend as much time as possible with your mum, it’s the best thing you can do for her now. :)

[@thila1012]

Great son....she's so blessed to have you as son- you're angel...god bless!

[@joylean1225]

It is tough but she is blessed as she has a son and daughter that lavish love and care on her. All of you including the care giver and the nurse are doing the best and just know that somewhere inside she knows. You all are amazing, God bless

[@natchinvlogs]

Thank you for sharing your story and allowing caregivers to know that their feelings are valid and their well-being is important too

[@lunastarr1925]

A beautiful lady........she must hv been a jovial party girl in her hey days.......this son is an angel. R they filipinos or eurasians? Such a beautiful lady. Such a heartwarming moment for d son to sing to his bloved mother.....

[@KimchiTaco]

singaporean

[@popamonkey190]

this breaks my heart. is warming to see that her son cares so much. there's so much love there. learn to love people!

[@sandrasealy7411]

You are a great son..I went through this heart wrenching disease with my mom ....most difficult 10 years of my life..your words captured the disease very well 💜💜💜

[@queenkreolee]

She used to call me Lumpy and Munchkin. I remember her loving Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. Gone with the Wind. Anything classic. It's so good to see Galen looking after his mom the way she looked after him when he was younger. I wish your family all the best.

[@joapple9389]

The aggressiveness of the old grump, scary..I feel for the carer.. I'm a full time carer for my mum too. Galen thanks for posting. It gives me an insight further to the scary issues of a person with dementia

[@tranquilit3]

This made me cry :( Galen you’re an amazing son and I really take my hats off to you, keep doing what you do!

[@RandyWaage]

What a dedicated and loving son/family!

[@melmeltoo]

Thanks for sharing Galen! Watching videos like this while my mom sleeps lets me know I am not alone in this battle.

[@marynajamison702]

Thankyou for your video..im 70 and looks after my husband of 73...and he has the very same symptoms like your mother....its very hard on me...but thanks for your videos..helps me alott

[@bclzcc]

I hope this video can raise awareness about dementia and help others to cope with their loved ones with dementia as well

[@munizgellukig8144]

i never imagined i wouild cry watching a video on youtube, and gere I am, crying of joy. you're an amzing Son. God Bless you.

[@crystalblue3842]

Wow God has blessed her with a wonderful son, he loves her so much. And that helper has a great fun loving attitude that lets her cope with the aggression

[@annek12]

Galen, thank you for producing this video. It brings back memories. It's true that the mother will recognise those who have been close to her. Sometimes she may not recognise who you are actually but she will know that you are someone she likes. A helper must be like Mary Jean, always smiling and accepting of her with good and bad moods. The heart must be there to take care of dementia patients and the playfulness to capitalise on the good moods to build up a good rapport.

[@onceuponarenee]

It is difficult to find a permanent helper for dementia patients. They really hit them.

[@tommy70786]

Wonderful son and helpers. It’s harrowing being a caretaker.

[@teresadavis1377]

Your love and understanding if your mom is so beautiful.

[@norainocentes2175]

That’s true for 18 year I took care a 72 years old woman with Alzheimer and Dementia woman.

[@mcad1804]

Learning a lot, thank you.

[@sylvia3980]

I will take care of my parents needs.Because they are getting old and they will need me to help them.I will ask nothing in return of them.Because they took care of me all my life growing up.So the least I could do is make sure they are comfortable,safe,and taken care of well.I love ya’ll and care about ya’ll no matter what because your my parents.I wouldn’t ever trade anything for y’all.I’m not sending y’all to a nursing home or hospital.I will take care of ya’ll myself.I promise to do the best I can and be there for ya’ll even when I am busy.

[@tenderheart7530]

XOUknownXoXo Nmukiopljkhgbvfcdxsyaqwertzuiop R.M. Your promise will be their greatest comfort. They are fortunate parents. Most do not have this. ☮️

[@tonyasfamilyvlogs2587]

Beautiful yet sad

[@MrBoliao98]

She's fortunate she was the income, to live in relative dignity as someone with dementia.

[@MegaCaprice123]

I am sorry to say this but some of these dementia ridden folk can be very difficult to look after. It must be hard to keep loving a person who doesn’t recognise you anymore and is aggressive towards you. I am against assisted dying as I believe in God, but I sometimes wonder if that route would be a blessing for these affected people. It must be torture for them to be so confused and not understand what is going on in their lives. In the end, these folk cannot even talk or swallow their food anymore!!

[@thelmaocampo5083]

You're such a good son, especially to your mom, I wish my sons would be like you when I grow older ,our lord bless you more, 👏😅

[@eunicetan3367]

Galen, you are truly 1 in a trillion sons especially in today's world where self self self is more important than parents and loved ones. She is blessed to have a filial son.

[@helengoh6482]

Galen - you are the best. You are awesome

[@peterlhs18]

Thank u for sharing your story. Inspiring to many who many who totallydont know or deal with love ones with dementia. U were calm n always know what to do n how to react to situations. I am 58yo man living alone no family .I was diagnosed with mid stage depression n dementia by nuro doctor. I totally lost my way.. I struggles every single day . Worst of all I forgot to remember faces and names and I used to be a good cook but I forgot the steps and freeze . I just want to die constantly.

[@tenderheart7530]

peterlhs18 hansen I am so sorry. You are so young to have dementia. Could the depression be making it worse? Can you find a hobby you like or a pet? My dog helps me. Blessings ☮️

[@stefepedia]

He's so strong.

[@kilozjin3761]

God bless you man, God bless u n your mother always in good health and happiness 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@shebeesstitchyworld]

I took care of y mom when she was diagnosed with dementia. She had violent outbursts, would hit, swear up a storm. It was so hard to see her go through this and become another person. My husband was going through cancer at the same time, then it got to the point I couldn’t help. She was in a nursing home maybe two more the. I am grateful she passed away after 4 months of going through this. She suffered, she went to a better place.

[@ustadzahelmihamidahalimin3405]

Wow !! He is awesome son ❤

[@NegativeOctopus]

What a powerful statement: "I don't think my mum would've wanted to be remembered as a person with dementia". To be brutally honest, I think you grieve the person they once were, they do totally change, but I really feel like this sentence reminds us that we need to remember them for who they were. They were incredible people, and this isn't to devalue them as a person now, but undeniably the dynamic and the relationship has changed.

[@assyifahkhaerani4012]

It's really hard to take care of a person with dementia,. I was three years working in taiwan, i take care for 94 year's old of grandma, and she has dementia..

[@susansandford4268]

I have so much respect for you it's not a job that many of us could do.

[@srtj.av.2556]

My grandma had it she could have a fuss and see me it will disappear that bond was so strong that she could not remember me but she could feel the love and never was agresive towards me.

[@MKiurinuRigold]

So happy to see the mother dancing 💃🏻 Caregivers need to remember they did whatever they do before even though the patients forget

[@kxmode]

My mom has the same affliction. I love her dearly, but I also feel like I lost my mom a decade ago. The Coronavirus has been horrible. It's tough to visit her now. I want to sit with her and talk. Play her favorite music (she loves _The Sound of Music_ and especially "Edelweiss"). I like talking about memories I have of her, but she doesn't remember (although she remembers a few and her eyes light up when she remembers them). I remember when the doctors diagnosed her with dementia. I heard of the word but didn't truly understand it. What it did for my mom was strip away her personality. She was a robust and loving person, reduced to an almost lifeless individual. It makes me cry often. 😟 But I have hope! I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and so is my mom. I look forward to the future when old age and illnesses like dementia no longer exists. Job 33:25, it reads, "Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor." Revelation 21:4 says death will be eliminated. "[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." It brings me great joy to share this hope from the Bible with everyone I meet, and I wanted to share it with you for both you and your mother. If you would like to learn more about this future, please watch this brief 3-minute video www.jw.org/en/library/books/good-news-from-god/what-is-gods-kingdom/video-kingdom-come/ 🙂

[@amyschulmeister6359]

Wow! This is so sad! I hope they can come up with a cure for dementia. My grandma had dementia and my mom is at the beginning stages of it.

[@swatipatnaik123]

This made me cry. Hope some day there will be cure for Dementia.

[@ddonlee]

Thank you Galen.

[@silverbells4732]

Galen is a gem of a son.....he is a WINNER

[@chita-eyy]

I hope they can find a cure that can reverse dementia soon

[@rennzx5026]

Let's just hope someday humans will come up with something to fight dementia. Never say never!

[@ajisenramen888]

There has been research on removing plaque from the brain by Australian scientists, it seems to be very promising in lessening the effects of dementia.

[@limrosemary8536]

randomizur not much investment is put into finding a cure for dementia because elderly once cured wont b able to contribute to national tax

[@blossomandrews4963]

Yeah preferably before I get old

[@-kyshid5271]

Anyone who is interested, can try to give virgin coconut oil, one tablespoon a day, it really work wonders. Been giving to my dementia mum for 3 years now & it managed to reduced the deteorating speed of dementia. Maybe some won't believe it but as a son who had been taking care of her since her first sign of dementia 10 years ago, it is a miracle suppliment. There is no medicine to cure it yet, only can reduce it maybe.

[@godisgood8965]

God bless you

[@Moses2009ful]

THANKYOU

[@asianamerican4408]

Nursing home is the best place for her if your family will get tired looking after her. Even you hired hundred of caregiver is she start hitting and getting worse nobody would be patiently taking care of her . Sad thing we all go through that in life .

[@miche.5146]

that is why she is not in a home. this is the sad dilemma for lazy uncaring ppl. who has no patience or compassion. ofcourse you think a home would be the best. because you cant handle it.

[@sandrasealy7411]

Stay strong for a cure 💜💜💜💜👍

[@margiemejias5761]

Wao this is so emocional. Mom has dementia and is a challenge every day for me since I have no help :(.she refuse medication and is very agresive. I wish this is just a bad dream and im going to wake up and see mom again the way she was. I 💖 her and it hurts

[@theloner6063]

Euthanasia is the ONLY solution.

[@debibarrington8348]

When they get combative ..they should be in a home as to not hurt themselves or others

[@mabellee424]

🙏 so sharing. My mum was not as lucky as yours. She is now in a nursing home. I called it. ‘A Slow Torture To Death” Disease !

[@dannyweiss9701]

so true,.,...absolutely gut wrenching, and heart breaking, and expensive to boot..

[@emkiu2150]

Losing your mom right in front of your eyes...it’s hardbreaking. Even tho you tried to remember her before the illness there are always some painful memories about their lasts days you wish you could just erase from your mind...

[@tenderheart7530]

What a beautiful son.

[@tlanmawiakhiangte]

Amen.

[@sylvialin6453]

Mr Galen. You have a good voice and your mom is pretty for her age. I could tell she is a good dancer. Besame Mucho one of my favourite rhumba nos. God bless . Penang. Malaysia.

[@oakpkdude]

That's sweet.

[@snj6669]

Nice singing... ur mum is gorgeous x

[@chilipadi2306]

My take on why the mother was hitting Mary Jean in the kitchen: Ever consider the possibility that the mother is jealous that Mary Jean is near her son, or perhaps even her husband? I had a family member who had Alzheimer that lasted for more than ten years. One of the behaviors observed was that she would eat better when her husband was beside her. When he is not around she would fuss and refused to eat. To solve the problem whenever the husband was not around, the family would tape his voice and played the recording in order to calm her down. It worked like a charm. Galen, thanks for sharing your journey into dementia with regard to your mother. For all that it's worth, I don't have your "privilege" because I lost my mom when I was eleven. Now in my seventies, I still miss her like crazy. Happy Mother's Day Mom, and the same to all the Mothers in the world.

[@mariastarlight277]

What should we do if the you have been the one who has been taking care of your dementia relative for so many years as compared to the rest of the extended family, the one who interacts with them the most, decides to one day scold and hurt only you but not the rest of the relatives them come to visit and care for them? So here’s the situation: I know someone who had hired a helper for their dementia aunt to take care of her everyday. That someone always takes them out weekly to eateries or someplace nice like Jewel and always buys and bakes for their aunt all of her favourite food and things. However, there was one day they had to break the news to her that her helper was leaving and taking a break for 2-3 weeks to fly back home to be with her family before coming back. That day was the starting point: she decided that she hated that someone and whenever she saw them come by to visit and buy food for her, she would always scold and scream loudly at them and want to chase them out of their house. They way she acted was as though she didn’t have dementia, cause she could clearly scold them saying that she bought the house she was living in, so they couldn’t move her out and do anything against her. She was started being extremely hateful against them, even beating them sometimes. Funny thing is that she only ever does that to that someone I know, never to the rest of the extended family that has never bothered to visit weekly, let along taking them out and buying them things. Why do you think this is happening? It really hurt that someone I know severely.

[@jo4478]

3:19, 5:09 Odd that she seems to have problem dealing with the Filipina helpers by attacking them and causing harm towards the helper. It's as if she (suffering with the symptom) wants to kill them all, if given the choice. She isn't showing any hostility towards the son though. I've worked as a caretaker with a 60-year-old with similar issue. They need professional help from qualified caregivers, not maids or helpers or family members who do not have the capacity to neither understand nor cope with the dire situation.💐

[@stmcMFGV]

Cherish the time spent with your parents and practice filial piety in a timely manner. 👍🏼👏🏼 珍惜與父母共處的歲月，能及時行孝。 👍🏼👏🏼

[@maulinadamayanti2951]

I wish I had a son like Galen

[@reigndaniel818]

Ang bait nman n anak n kuya...

[@leeam3676]

YOU'RE LUCKY THAT YOU HAVE SAVINGS IN THE BANK OR ELSE YOU CAN'T HIRE 2 HELPERS JUST TO LOOK AFTER YOUR MOTHER, LITERALLY YOUR MOTHER IS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A SON LIKE YOU, CONTINUE LOVING YOUR MOM.

[@dominiquemiah2371]

Wonderful son I see the helper also even she try to beat her also but the helper say I love you, For grany she is very stylish

[@CareBee228]

sigh..am trying possibly everything could for my mom but her demanding actions got me into depression😣

[@haddiewillsburg1453]

Dementia seems similar to severe autism with the lack of communication and aggression. I was disturbed by her aggressive behavior in this video. It is hard for caregivers to take that level of violence daily.

[@maricarpatubo7581]

Poor ammah, I look after Amma before half body stroke sad things she's daed

[@nobodybutHIM777]

Avoid sugar at all cost, eat fermented veggies, to avoid this.

[@patleo123]

What happened 9 months after last filming date ??

[@bonnieyoung4037]

His mother should be on medication not beating up the caregivers the son is unrealistic

[@GoodBoy-wn9sd]

I disagree. Medication would not curing his tamper. Mostly sedation drugs not last longer and comes with lots of side effects such as vomitting, headaches, tremor and so on. Its will just makes things worse if he give those drugs u call that can calm her down. Plus, emotion and dementia is 2 different things. Anger and uncomfortable feeling like that is enough handle with tender love and cares.

[@tenderheart7530]

Good Boy You are right and a lot of those medications cause more memory loss which she doesn’t need.

[@facemakerable]

great son

[@user-uh9ob2tp8h]

Be thankful to your Filipina Nanny or nursing assistant.

[@bevlehman8238]

Watch or read Teepa Snow!

[@lashtengiala5857]

💕

[@Msbuddy08sej]

Such a horrible disease. :(

[@sjsjsnsbsbncejncsinkwindin7404]

My grandma has dementia

[@hiyyih793]

5:03-6:03

[@adriannavellon1723]

I don't know why I don't know how I remember this but somehow do you remember Susan saying that's the song somewhere over the rainbow song my grandfather used to sing a song before he got dementia it was like the day before Emily we were not going was not remembering as much but he saying that song Siri what's the song where ever the rainbow way up and then does high and then you'll be like what's next so I will go join in to him and sing it with him and he would just smile and he would clap and we have nurses that actually I'm not sure I am just emotionalwork when we were the nursing home.

[@maggiechannel88]

Is good to be rich

[@nightjar8898]

I would want to die too if I had dementia.

[@trannygalore6610]

I want to die young. Getting that old is just fucked up!

[@airofd]

fuck me that was sad

[@nuxvomica1090]

I always wonder if alzheimers patients know someone is making a video of them. Would they want to show the world if they knew? I wouldn't.

[@miche.5146]

why wouldnt you want to give people the knowledge to understand you more and help you in a better way? youre thinking of your own pride and feel embarrassed instead of thinking the bigger picture.

[@roberto2238]

Not so bad with the son financially sound. Also I think she used to whallop the maids. Nothing to pity on her.

[@anytan8493]

8

[@shebeesstitchyworld]

I took care of y mom when she was diagnosed with dementia. She had violent outbursts, would hit, swear up a storm. It was so hard to see her go through this and become another person. My husband was going through cancer at the same time, then it got to the point I couldn’t help. She was in a nursing home maybe two more the. I am grateful she passed away after 4 months of going through this. She suffered, she went to a better place.