Reporting on frontotemporal dementia

To raise awareness of this little-known disease, a "60 Minutes" team realized "you sort of have to see somebody in the throes of it." See the full report here: cbsn.ws/2ZVwFLv
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"60 Minutes," the most successful television broadcast in history. Offering hard-hitting investigative reports, interviews, feature segments and profiles of people in the news, the broadcast began in 1968 and is still a hit, over 50 seasons later, regularly making Nielsen's Top 10. "60 Minutes" has won more Emmy Awards than any other primetime broadcast, including a special Lifetime Achievement Emmy. It has also won every major broadcast journalism award over its tenure, including 24 Peabody and 18 DuPont Columbia University awards for excellence in television broadcasting. Other distinguished awards won multiple times include the George Polk, RTNDA Edward R. Murrow, Investigative Reporters and Editors, RFK Journalism, Sigma Delta Chi and Gerald Loeb Awards for Distinguished Business and Financial Reporting. "60 Minutes" premiered on CBS Sept. 24, 1968. The correspondents and contributors of "60 Minutes" are Bill Whitaker, Steve Kroft, Scott Pelley, Lesley Stahl, Anderson Cooper, Sharyn Alfonsi, Jon Wertheim and Norah O'Donnell. "60 Minutes" airs Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Check your local listings.

[@natasedge1]

Came here after Bruce Willis got his diagnosis. May him and his family find comfort during this time. This is heartbreaking

[@a.evelyn5498]

Find comfort?

[@natasedge1]

Girl can I show some support?

[@CerinAmroth]

@@natasedge1 don't mind toxic people. They don't deserve your attention

[@crischarflorin7239]

😢😢😢

[@lauraroberts8879]

I feel blessed. My husband was diagnosed with FTD and with help at home after Covid closed his day program, I was able to keep him from facility care until he was admitted to the hospital three weeks before his death. I was actually shocked when told he was in end stage dementia. He was not bedridden or incontinent, as I was told to expect. In spite of how the disease changed him, I miss his hugs. They got better as the disease progressed.

[@eowen6087]

To everyone reading this who has been affected by this disease. Whether you lost a family member, friend, or just someone you know. I am truly sorry that all of you had to endure this. God bless you.

[@evelynbonner3908]

My sister passed away a few months ago from this awful disease. She spent several years in care after we could no longer have her at home. Just writing about this brings the darkest of sorrow to my heart. It is the cruelest of diseases. It gets much much worse than what is seen in this video.

[@emilybartley829]

Eventually they forget how to eat and use the bathroom..different spectrums of this disease, it's more like failure of the brain..my mother in law has this and we care for her 24/7 and it's already horrible and only going to get much worse

[@King-eg8qn]

Oh god. Please help us on this earth. I hope ur sisters soul is fully restored now.

[@InfinityRipper]

My dad passed from this disease, by the end of his life he would only say "yeah" over and over. My mom also has 4 kids and looking back now its amazing she was able go get through it, must have been devastating.

[@Mat-threw]

Infinity Ripper sorry buddy.

[@badgalruth]

I cared for a special person that was in my life. She taught school for thirty-eight years. Her daughter and I were high school classmates, best friends, played basketball and in band together. We grew up in elementary school from Kindergarten. Beautiful person. Sometimes she would cry and I would let her get in her husband’s recliner put nice blanket on and let her sleep. God gives us this body to rent but sometimes the rent is more than our income. Praying for new advancement and therapy in this disease. Blessings to all. 🙏🙏🙏

[@j_b_j4187]

This was the most heartbreaking episode of 60 minuets that I can remember.... that poor young mother of 4 and her family 💔

[@kimroesch4503]

This disease is taking my mom. She is deteriorating so fast. Thank you for doing the piece. Please do a follow up. Thanks so much!

[@blakkelure]

Same for me.. I feel for you and understand your pain :(

[@frankndork1082]

My father is affected as well. You are strong, and so is your mother!

[@Jeccijvmes]

Rip to all your family members. 🧡

[@giuliocosta2207]

My mum is affected by this disease too.. it is so hard

[@misstruboyzrc]

My 62 year old beautiful mother has this very disease & is so much worse you just can’t imagine! I’m 40 years old & have to accept my mama will never again know who me or my children are 😭 this is an extremely difficult disease…

[@slash3492]

Here after hearing about Bruce Willis 😢

[@FTDANDME]

I’ve read some of these replies to the story and I’m appalled. First and foremost MY husband is one of those FEW you feel affected by this deadly disease. He has a PhD in business yet he has the functions of a child now. All of those student loans, hours in college are now not much more than a memory. For the record there are MORE people who have the disease but because of misdiagnosis they can’t be included. Many are diagnosed with ALZ or depression. My husband was initially diagnosed with depression but due to my unacceptance of that he was further tested. Humans can be so heartless when it comes to diseases and the lives it touch. When Alzheimers is mentioned everyone cries well many of these families lose their entire savings including ours. The age of diagnosis is typically so young the DONT qualify for elder care resources that those 65 and older get. We pay out of pocket or how ever we can scrape to care for these our living loved ones. Most of the times we are doing this as a sole caregiver(I am one)There should be MORE stories about this so we can get the funding for research many other diseases get! Sounds like I’m angry? YES I am because we are humans who pay taxes and have dreams too!!!!

[@claudemontes]

We are what we eat.

[@jont2576]

hi may i know how old is ur husband when he got diagnosed with FTD?

[@hotsickle]

You must have it too..

[@Mehki227]

I am sure I do not understand your second sentence about YOUR husband. But my condolences. Many families are affected by this and similar diseases and early onset must have been especially devastating to your husband, yourself, and family. Everything you were and could be is cruely taken away. Caretaking is exhausting and help is too little or non-existent. We seem to only hear about these diseases when they happen to us, loved ones, and celebrities.

[@lagunacinematics]

You are absolutely correct and Im so sorry. The American health system has failed you miserably, its not your fault. I am so so sorry.

[@bodhiswayze1892]

What a cruel disease. My heart literally aches for these poor people and their families. ❤️

[@chococrumb]

Research this after i read about Bruce Willis. So tragic… he was such a good actor. Prayers goes to him and his families.

[@sarastarthenailtech3363]

first bruce willis now wendy williams this is crazy , how can something so unheard of be so common??

[@jetsofaqua2206]

It’s not common. Bruce and Wendy are very rare coincidences to be both celebrities and suffering with this condition.

[@horrorpowerfilms9481]

I came here after reading Bruce Willis diagnosis. Sad.

[@Dominicana...]

That's a wonderful wife,she needed a big hug and good cry at the end. 🙏🏼

[@ckok7792]

I work as a teacher and often with students with severe behavior issues and sadly who have gone through some awful life situations that gave them ptsd with severe panic attacks. People always tell me I am an a hero or angel being so caring and patient with them. But the kids I work with can get better and often do. True hero’s in my mind are those like the caregivers here, knowing the person is going to continue to get worse yet they still take the time to help them. I would not want that job for even a moment.

[@shuddupeyaface]

What a joy it is to know that there are kind, caring and compassionate folks out there. I also came here after reading about Bruce Willis and my own experience of a loved one with slow onset dementia.

[@jelafean]

This is a cruel and devastating disease. The end stage of this disease is heart wrenching. My Mother is in end stage of this disease. It is very similar to ALS. She has the Speech Variant form. She has not been able to speak for over a year and her symptoms started 7 years ago. She has lost the ability to control her motor skills, she is on pureed food, thickened liquids, she has had sever bouts of aspiration pneumonia as she is unable to swallow properly. The brain is unable to send signals for other muscle functions as well, bowel and bladder control, walking, muscles become stiff causing difficulty with all muscle movements; walking, smiling, coughing, upper body rigidity. There are no words to describe how if feels to see someone slowly suffer through this cruel disease. Agree, more awareness should be made, people need to see someone in end stage to reveal how devastating this disease is.

[@Bobthebuilder2235]

My mother has this disease and is at the end stage. My heart is broken I’m so defeated. Life is not fair. I wish I could do anything to change that. She’s only 60. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[@shavec]

Thank you for reporting on this condition. My sister’s husband suffers from this disease and barely knows her or the kids at this point. They could be this family. It has been a terrible time for them as he went downhill quickly over a short period of time.

[@mnmdisney]

Iv been diagnosed with it, Im young, and its frightening and a grab bag of emotions, fast movement, a couple things going on at once, its too much. Our working memory normally can hold 8 things at once, Im down to maybe 2, and only visual ques remind me of things. Hang in their family and friends, we would do it for you if it was the other way around. #teepasnow

[@LetsgoB]

Try electoconvulsive therapy

[@Mat-threw]

How old are you??

[@Mat-threw]

Queen Alice Kingsley I too echo what soon e else has said. Try CBD

[@mnmdisney]

@Jam1053428 hi! Yes, one year later I see this comment lol,O have now found some things that help, cbds with sativa help ALOT!! B1s everyday too, plus just learning my strengths. Hope all is well with you and 2020, crazy times!!

[@jont2576]

hi im very sorry,may i know how old are u? im currently 33 and i highly suspect i have ftd too and it might be at a moderate stage now....

[@mboy9776]

So sad that broke my heart seeing this piece

[@rrompal49]

My brother in law has this It is so sad. He had to be put in a home. He was only 60. He doesn't know who he is. And its getting worse, where he is peeing on a wall. Lately they had to move him, because he was getting violent. Thank you for sharing this.

[@rrompal49]

Update my brother passed away last month, because of this desease. Very sad!

[@GoldenHacker123]

@@rrompal49 sorry to hear that currently my mom is going through this . How long he have been managed to survive after diagnosing with FTD ?

[@mariablanco5368]

Bruce Willis 🙏🏼😭

[@charnjitkaur7668]

my son is fighting with disease. This story make me Crying whole night. need help. how I save my young son.

[@YummyFood454]

That must be so hard, I can’t even imagine that happening to a family member. The brain is soooo complex I wish we knew so much more and had funds to explore it

[@ChillinHD]

Stay strong Bruce ❤

[@juanpedrolopezmartinez5380]

i have FTD picks disease.... is a terrible sick, i cant play my games i forget how to do that. My life is a nigthmare alone living when my feelings is diying and im going becote to a vegetal person... i hate this... seriusly... help us... we need a cure.

[@ballarddionna]

Someone said try cannabis oil. I would also look into some herbs!

[@Ceerads]

@@ballarddionnaRidiculous.

[@cyberpunkmodels692]

I’m here after finding out about Wendy Williams😞

[@King-eg8qn]

I’m here for Wendy 😢

[@marywilliams3909]

How do they die from this disease? My husband has FTD, & he has severe PTSD. He stopped leaving the house. Both my parents had Dementia & Alzheimer, & now my husband has FTD. I’ve never given up. But I need more help. How can I get some?

[@xxwoman]

I'm wondering how they die as well. I read a comment that said they forget how to eat or TO eat and to use the bathroom. So I guess this might be if they have no caregiver? I'm not sure.

[@whatsfunny9571]

Came here after Wendy’s diagnosis 😢

[@TheCHILDRENofTV]

Bruce Willis has this disease:(

[@mauramcferran2612]

Heartbreaking 💔😢

[@catherine7147]

I am the spouse of a wonderful man who I believe has this disease. We are 15 years in and have been told he has Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s, depression, a psychiatric disorder, conversion syndrome, and the list goes on. All reputable neurologists but no one on board to help. We will start with a new doctor in mid March. But he is in the later stages of the disease( according to what I read online), and of course little that can be done. He turned 65 last fall and can no longer walk alone, complete personal hygiene, and is losing his ability to speak and do simple tasks on his laptop. He has a Masters degree in Hydrogeology and the loss of his profession still causes him as much pain as the physical pain. I found out about FTD from a public service announcement on TV. Its ridiculous no one in the medical community could provide information and support. We go it alone right now, but hope to have help managing the symptoms sometime this spring. Thank you for this report.

[@soupnfresh]

Do you think psych meds caused it?

[@catherine7147]

@@soupnfresh I simply have no idea. He was given so much medication over the years with very little oversight. An update: The new neurologist was not helpful. Later that year( 2020) his primary suggested hospice. Recurrent UTI’s, more serious dementia episodes, and sleeping much of the day. He passed away with no diagnosis on 11/19/2020. Its a heartbreaking disease. He was 66 and the decline lasted 16 years. Thank you for your concern.

[@soupnfresh]

@@catherine7147 Sorry about your loss. Hope scientists will soon cure this disease.

[@judypasqualone3819]

Such a tragedy..you think you have problems and you see this. Just the same with Bruce Willis. The family is supportive but Bruce’s wife, like she says, is not ok. But just having people aware is supportive too. 🙏🏻❤️

[@dahrunriver2924]

My relative has lived with this for 20 years. It doesn’t always result in quick death.

[@barbaram.gaskin4326]

There are some truly evil people posting comments here. They call themselves Christians, but they are not. God is love, God said love thy neighbor, judge or be judged. I am not religious, but I live a life that God would approve of. I am so sick of people using God to justify hate.

[@etamommy]

Barbara who is posting the things that are offending you? Typically it is best to reply directly to the comment or comments that you find offensive.

[@Popperhilton]

Sad that Bruce Willis now has this, god bless him and his family 🕯️🙏

[@angelp.5224]

Great story

[@laurah.160]

my mom said horrible things to me when i had my baby and he almost died. She told me after I had him and he was whisked off to NICU "I HOPE YOU DONT HAVE ANYMORE CHILDREN"

[@RealLegoBeast]

Who else is here because of our Dear Bruce Willis?

[@odahowe635]

Wonder what happened this young family! Feelreally bad this wife. Caring 4youngs kids n dealing w this terrible disease. What a remarkable strong lady! Wishes her very best

[@michaelhaslam1114]

My sister has this and been going downhill for 9 years - any form of dementia is very hard to deal with - as others have said, the person you knew is not the same and its hard to deal with that. You try to give them love and support as much as you can (which again isn't easy). One note I found out when I was taking care of my mother (who had Lewy Bodies dementia), is people ask what are the normal symptoms, outcomes, prognoses, etc for them? I was told there is no "normal" dealing with dementia -every patient is different (yes maybe many similarities but mostly not totally same). They may have one kind, 2 kinds, a bit of this type and another of that type, so its hard to try to figure out what's needed, best way to relate to the person, care, etc. Its mainly seeing what works and what doesn't and try to get into a routine that doesn't upset them much and provide support and love. Anyway, I didn't know anything about dementia till mom got hers in 2015, and I found out there are lots of different types and degrees of it - not just that you're are "losing your memory" (as I used to think so I'm just as guilty). Why seeing these are important to educate more people. My sincerest support and well wishes to all who suffer and deal with these diseases. Mike Haslam

[@King-eg8qn]

I would off myself if I had this. No way in HELL I’d put my family through this torture. Why would I selfishly stay alive just so they can pick up after me and suffer just by trying to help. Omg I pray for the world

[@Ceerads]

I would, too. Who wants to be a shell of a person? And, as you said, cause one’s loved ones to suffer?

[@hint0122]

I have a high suspicion that my dad has it. He overspends and has zero vocal filter

[@mray8519]

There is a corresponding increase of toxic chemicals in our food, water and air.

[@dajwe216]

Be honest! How many of you are here after learning Bruce Willis was diagnosed with it?

[@stephengreico2810]

I always wondered why these diseases or syndromes make ppl behave negatively and not positively. For example, why do sociopaths or psychopaths inherently want to harm ppl and why isn’t there an opposition to it such as being chronically altruistic?

[@strategicinfohub7810]

There IS, but society is not accepting on the whole of chronic altruism- people are expected to be left to deal with their own circumstances...

[@Thewhiteandorange]

they're not behaving "negatively", they're just behaving. bad/good is a moralistic stance that doesn't apply in these circumstances. no point applying judgement and reasoning to a human being with disease actively deteriorating their judgement/reasoning compass.

[@jont2576]

if there was a disease that makes human behave positively and not negatively,...it would be a cure an improvement,not a disease.

[@mirygomes]

Demons are happy with this

[@angela64355]

My mother was sweeter and more affectionate than her‘normal’ when she had this disease. She even told strangers that she loved them.😢

[@charleshines3378]

I swear one of one of my friends parents had this. It was devastating to watch her deterioration.

[@that_one_anime_kid9264]

His kids are my friends they used to live by me

[@KiernanDavid]

Very sad to see this.

[@NaturallyGifted77]

The sad and scary at the same time!

[@ledererova]

Btw alcohol induced dementia has exactly the same symptoms as bvFTD. The only difference is the bvFTD progresses normally very quickly within 5 years. The misery of alcohol induced dementia for the rest of the family last for decades.

[@TheDotransporter]

Question, what makes them die so soon? That's a terrible disease.

[@Ceerads]

If I had it, I’d want to die soon.

[@annierotberg8861]

I am not 100% but I think my brother had the speech component. He had ftd but idk the variant.

[@anthonyqcolosimo5374]

My BF just got diagnosed at age 45

[@jetsofaqua2206]

Im so sorry. Wishing you and your boyfriend strength 💙

[@richardhenry5961]

Stem-Cell research is the key...

[@TamiFowler1]

With all of our technology and advancement in medicine, I cannot believe we can’t find some kind of cure for this disease.

[@marielarsen8800]

What if an ex president had the postural symptoms and was beginning to have speech difficulties?

[@Ceerads]

In that (theoretical) case, everyone who liked him would do all they could to hide that ex-president’s symptoms. But mental health professionals and neurologists would write about this ex-president’s increasingly obvious brain deterioration. Those who supported this person would, however, be oblivious to the signs.

[@Cheeks63091]

Wendy Williams so sad 😢

[@dollarmike7144]

Wendy Williams 😫

[@jetsofaqua2206]

Yep 💔

[@user-un2tk9sk9b]

It would be better to put them down

[@WendyS8A]

Its Lyme disease awareness month. Can you do a show on the true facts and seriousness of Lyme disease💚

[@philais]

Strict ketogenic diet with MCT oil......helped me

[@danbennett2891]

I would have liked this segment more if it had focused upon the changes in brain structure more - specifically among the ppl profiled in the story. Instead, it focused upon their "seemingly" odd behaviors, which are not all that odd in my opinion. Also, is this one guy the only credible researcher of FTD? We need more authoritative voices on this subject.

[@danjohnson5114]

Dan, do you know anyone with this disease? It's definitely not common and one main reason that there is very little visibility. There is some research being done, but no cure.

[@kyrareynolds6028]

They’re odd behaviors because before the disease they would have never acted like that. For example my grandma was very shy and quiet before and now she says anything and everything that comes to her mind. It seems normal to people who have never known her but to me and her family she is a whole new person

[@cerrawhite-gibson9037]

❤️‍🩹💔

[@GijoeHam]

Howdy

[@simonrandall5471]

Is there anything that DOESNT happen to us?!

[@Thewhiteandorange]

this didnt age well...

[@kikithepupper6774]

well, we did face a crazy pandemic. i guess meteor falling on us could be next.

[@sanbetski]

Grand... grandpa??

[@supremeleader5237]

If I haven't eaten recently, I might get flustered and start forgetting the names of things, too.

[@ancientexercise8973]

Why do people with FTD always love sugary foods and drinks? Hmmmm

[@benaloi01]

I don't know why. My husband just passed away from this disease. He was 41. He did crossfit and Spartan races. He loved being active and eating healthy. When the disease took hold, he began to crave junk and would over eat anything and everything. Even fistfuls of healthy food. It just destroys the brain and all "normal" thinking.

[@BrianOSheaPlus]

Many dementia patients lose much of their senses of smell and taste, so most foods taste bland to them unless they are very sweet.

[@Ceerads]

Why do MOST people love sugary foods and drinks? Hmmm.

[@michicyrill6397]

Why is this in my recommendation?!?

[@chechnya]

The guy is faking it. Think about it, you get to hang out and get fed and taken care of all day. You can still have a wife and kids and tell them to leave when you're done with them. Sounds like a good life to me

[@danjohnson5114]

You think you're funny, don't you? Don't quit your day job!

[@sharonhall1031]

Too bad we can't give you FTD, you would change your mind fairly quickly.

[@millionmilemamma4184]

You are a horrible person

[@lucasbruce7324]

you are so ignorant!to put out a comment like that!

[@bravesoul5743]

Thats not a funny comment!