Trailer - Much Too Young: The Untold Story of Young Caregivers & Alzheimer’s

Much Too Young is a documentary, airing on TVO Sept 21st 2017 at 9pm, that follows young adult children from three families as they deal with the challenges of caring for parents living with early onset Alzheimer’s
disease.
tvo.org/documen...
www.muchtooyoung.com
What does it mean to be a young adult caring for an ailing parent? Much Too Young is a powerful and unflinching look at four families struggling to cope with an unexpected role reversal - and the complications that come with caring for a parent with early onset Alzheimers at a startlingly young age.
There are over 564,000 Canadians living with dementia and about 16,000 Canadians under the age of 65 who have the disease. Each year, 25,000 more Canadians are diagnosed with dementia. In less than 15 years, almost a million Canadians will be impacted.
Many of these families have children who are taking on significant
responsibilities as young caregivers putting their own lives on hold and facing enormous challenges in isolation and without support.
Kathryn, Aurelie, Kathleen and Chris are between the ages of thirteen and twenty-seven.
Their situations are all unique, yet they all face the tests of anyone else their age, as they move through school, work and their social lives. And they all have something in common; they each have a parent whose memories and ability to raise their children has been taken from them at an early age.
Much Too Young follows each of these young people and their families as they try to find their youthful identities; while at the
same time coping with their lives at home, caring for an ailing parent.

[@brandimeyer1794]

I'm 21 caring for my father that's terminally ill... nobody understands how stressful it is..

[@rsimmons2663]

I felt every fiber of their story. There should be a young caregiver hotline. I’m in a situation where I don’t have any family but my dad who I have to be responsible for. Sometimes I don’t know what to do.

[@soleilsunshine3173]

Hi! I don't know if you're still a young caregiver and I don't know where you live. If you live in Canada, I discovered that there is a Young Caregivers Association. It is there to support young caregivers in Canada.

[@shawngaming5683]

My grandparents dont have Alzheimer's (that I know of) but I've been taking care of them my whole life. I'm now 22. Its hard

[@shawngaming5683]

Rollo Larson I don't take care of them anymore because I moved. But when I use to I didn't

[@Sophialunaaa]

My mom doesn't have Alzheimer's, she has an autoimmune disease called Dermatomyositis. I have to help her eat, use the bathroom, get up from the bed and walk and do everything she needs and wants. When someone goes through that much stress of not being able to do anything and having their 16-year-old child do it for them they become worst. I don't know how my mom has been this strong when i can't even pull myself together. It's so hard for any teen caregiver and I wish for one day for everyone going through this to get more help.

[@AlzheimersLA]

Heartbreaking. Caregivers give so much of themselves and have such a hard journey between self-care and responsibility. There is no one answer, and we salute your storytelling! Raising awareness and letting others know they are not alone has long lasting positive affects. Thanks for sharing!

[@annabelroneill]

As a 21 year old full time caretaker for my grandfather I was really touched that you have chosen to tell this story.

[@jessicac.9022]

This hits hard. I’m caring for my mom and I’m 30 years old. Watching her fade away is heart breaking.

[@finchborat]

I'm a yr younger than you and I've had to help my mom out in some capacity for 11 and a half yrs. I didn't have to give up college, but caregiving is all I've known since graduating college. It sucks and I hate it. Whenever the nightmare ends, I want nothing to do with caregiving.

[@nossac1]

I hope these young carers do not inherit this horrible illness but unfortunately statistics are against them.

[@barbaram3627]

For the longest I felt I was the only one, no one I knew was caregiving for family members like myself at a young age. Our lives are put on hold so that we may care for our loved ones. I wish there was a chat were other caregivers could talk and share stories so that we don’t feel alone in this journey.

[@saiyannawomack2950]

So true. The part about putting your life on hold. I’m 20 years old and it’s hard. Definitely needs to be talked about more

[@barbaram3627]

@@saiyannawomack2950 I wish you didn’t have to go through it, but just know you’re doing something good for another. Try to take care of yourself as well ♥️

[@soleilsunshine3173]

The Young caregivers association in Canada has a KZbin channel to support young caregivers. Maybe not exactly what you're looking for, but you can check it out if you want. m.kzbin.info/door/1W9YF8r6GBapbqw2zHr0Mg

[@gdstudios-fineartcreations2295]

Such a powerful trailer. I sure feel for these young caregivers AND for those who they love who struggle with having the disease themselves. Looking forward to seeing the show.

[@hotmessblonde]

This is so touching! I was a caregiver to someone with ALZ, and lost my mom to a lung disease, my father to ALZ and my aunt to ALZ. I was in my early 30s. I must see this film! My heart goes out to these big hearted young people! ❤️

[@muchtooyoung1394]

Thanks so much, be sure to check it out on TVO Sept 21st 8pm!

[@hotmessblonde]

Much Too Young hi, I just checked and I didn't see it in the programming for the 21st. It's TV Ontario right?

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

Don't know if I can watch it Its all to fresh for in my mind. My heart goes out to ALL CAREGIVERS

[@hotmessblonde]

Lesley McShane Mitchell It is such a difficult journey. Give yourself time, the healing takes a long time, but most importantly the shift from caregiver to self care is crucial. If you would like to connect offline to chat I'm here for you! 😊

[@hotmessblonde]

Will there be another way to view the documentary? Unfortunately I don't get TVO programming.

[@SOML98]

It’s sad because a lot of people are really sweet and kind and big-hearted. But when dementia or Alzheimer’s hits, they become the opposite

[@annabelroneill]

Is the full film available somewhere?

[@dublime420]

Horrible disease. Even worse to see your parent struggling with it, drop everything to move 6 hours away to help family then have an old family friend convince your father to sign poa papers and get barred from seeing your father again, having him moved hours away while you’re now stuck in a strange place. This disease is horrible and can destroy families.

[@finchborat]

Stuff like this and my circumstances are why couples over the age of 40 shouldn't have kids. I'm at the end of my 20s and caregiving has been the main theme. I've had to take care of my mom with no help for over a decade. She's nearly 70, but physically, she might as well be closing in on 90.

[@amymines]

Is there anywhere I can watch this in the usa??

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

destiny I think your being to harsh As one who"s been there [4yrs] Its overwhelming. I think I would commit suicide if I was told I had this terrible illness to save my children the pain and anguish After all its a Parents obligation to make Life easier for there children As well as knowing what's in front of you. Have you had to take care of an Alzheimer Patient

[@hotmessblonde]

Could you also tell me what song you used in the trailer? It was perfect!

[@muchtooyoung1394]

We are so happy you like it! If you go to the website, www.muchtooyoung.com we are offering the main song of the film for a limited time free download, once the film airs you will be able to purchase the entire soundtrack on itunes!

[@grahamhowe3702]

Im 13 and I wouldnt say my Moms Alzheimers is to the point to where I have to take care of her but I can really relate

[@jaymoraski]

I know u posted this a while ago, But I can relate ............. was in the same position when I was young. Just realize, not your fault and don't be afraid to talk to people how you are feeling.

[@ms.lauren6219]

i seen this ad about these kids crying that they don't want to take care of their parents cause they're supposedly to young and they have dreams but they can't live them cause their parents have Alzheimer, and they feel like they shouldn't have to take care of their parents, well i'm sure they had dreams too but then you came along and made those dreams change so they can care for you, and i bet they didn't want to take care of you when u were crying in the middle of the night soiled in your own filth, or hold you when your sad, or feed you, or buy you something you've always wanted, gave you your own bedroom, never hurt you if you did something wrong, didn't deprive you of love, shelter, transportation, or even giving you life, and your fucking crying cause you're to young and don't feel like its your responsibility to take care of a family member who has a serious health problem, like how are you going to feel when they die and you were living your dream at some club in Florida? you only get two parents, some people only get one, and even the one i had wasn't much of a parent, i would have killed to have loving parents, who did all those things i just mentioned, but i didn't so i'm not in the least sympathetic to you crying about how its unfair your stuck taking care of your sick parents, cause it shouldn't be such a difficult thing to do when you consider all they have done for you. you should be happy you're even alive today to have the privilege to take care of them. i'm shocked that you can go on a commercial and cry about this. FUCK YOU they should have abortioned you. you're so ungrateful for everything they have done for you, i'm not in the least sad for you i'm sad for the parents who are going to die soon and their own children are feeling like they are a burden, i bet they felt like that about you, but they never made you feel like that, they made you feel loved and that you were a gift from god, and they didn't cry to the world when they couldn't have date night cause you had a fever, they took care of you when u were sick and now you ungrateful, unworthy people have the nerve to fucking cry about something out of thier control. you are so self fish. so many parents have abandoned their kids but not the ones in these commercials and yet they feel thier parents are ab burden. GROW UP YOU FUCKING UNGRATEFUL CRY BABIES.

[@Amandemic]

Your capacity for empathy is really truly astounding. Thank you for this incredibly insightful and not at all dismissive and completely inappropriate comment. You truly are enriching their family's struggle with warmth and appreciation. Since you're so clearly invested in this devastating disease and its wrath on families and caregivers, I'm sure you will be happy to donate money to the Alzheimer's Society. Find your local branch here: www.alzheimer.ca/en

[@dropbows7975]

Destiny F is comparing things that are not comparable. Your comment does not make any sense. Comparing an adult taking care of a baby is not even remotely similar to a teenager taking care of a grown adult. Comparing apples to oranges it does not work. Destiny F I know you have a very low IQ and were not loved as a child (by your attitude now I assume you are still not loved by anyone), but please try to do some thinking before commenting on a serious video.

[@julianaolivieri2326]

I don't even know where to start when it comes to how appalling and wrong this comment is on this video..... I think it is obvious to most people why this type of thinking, language and response is not acceptable so I will not waste my time explaining or justifying why. I would rather say that young carers are the most selfless and self-sacrificing people on the planet and based on that alone, deserves a certain level of respect. To any young carer that reads this, disregard this persons hateful words; I support you and you are not alone --- you deserve to dream and do not be ashamed. In solidarity