Mom With Dementia Didn’t Recognize Son, but Special ‘Brain Diet’ Restores Her Memory

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When a family member suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, it is often devastating to the rest of the family. Frustration, as well as heartbreak, can occur when sufferers fail to recognize loved ones, forget what just happened earlier, or forget people and events altogether.

One man found a way to help his mom with Alzheimer’s—she had an advanced form of the disease and didn’t know who he was. Following a drastic change in her diet, a miracle occurred.

Sylvia Hatzer, 82, from Bury in Greater Manchester, began suffering from memory loss in 2015, and in 2016 she was diagnosed with multifactorial dementia (also known as mixed dementia).

Sylvia’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and the 82-year-old was taken to hospital following a fall from a seizure.

Mark said his mother also forgot who he was—something that devastated him.

“I had been at her bedside for 12 hours a day and more. Sometimes my mum didn’t know who I was or where she was,” Mark said in a blog for U.K. charity Alzheimer’s Society.

“By far, it has been the worst 12 months of our lives. A never-ending round of medication and medical appointments that has seen my mother in hospital for a total of three months.”

The two had a very close relationship—Mark had lost both his father and brother a few years earlier, so the bond between mother and son became even closer.

For his mom to not even know who he was was a heavy cross to bear. “We are not just a mother and son, but a brother and sister, best friends, soul mates,” Mark said.

“We went everywhere together. Just like a double-act, we were rarely seen out without each other.”

The health team involved in Sylvia’s treatment were trying their best to help her, but her memory was fading fast.

One time in hospital, Sylvia tried to call the police, and she alleged that she was kidnapped and was held against her will.

“It felt like we were trapped by an incoming tide and there was no way out,” he said.

In search for better ways of treatment, Mark was determined to work with the treating team to improve his mother’s symptoms.

“We both decided we weren’t going to take this lying down and, if we were going down, we were [sic] weren’t going without a fight.”

“Little by little, day by day, we managed to turn things round. It was no quick fix. We worked with our treating team and putting together an action plan (see below). It details a healthy diet with gentle physical and cognitive exercises,” Mark explained.

After 12 months, Sylvia’s symptoms improved, much to the relief of son Mark.

“I slowly got my mum back. Her memory is improving all the time.

“She is more alert and engaged. She is basically her old self again. And I am truly grateful for that and to all those who helped us.”

During this time, Mark survived on just three hours of sleep a night while holding down his job. Mark lost 4 stone (approx. 25 kg) in weight and was continually exhausted but reminded himself of Winston Churchill’s famous quote when he felt down—“If you are going through hell, keep going.”

It’s amazing what family members will go through in order to help their loved ones tackle the tough times. This young lad is truly inspirational and should be commended for his persistence in helping his beloved mother!