Frontotemporal Dementia | 60 Minutes Archive 

Here after Bruce Willis diagnosis. Man, this disease is heartbreaking.

What a horrible way to lose a loved one. Unimaginable, really. Strength to all those who are going through this.

My sister passed away at 57 years old from this horrible disease. It breaks my heart to think about what she went through. God bless anyone who has to go through this.

This poor woman had to find an extra $7,000 every month on top of ALL this? Losing her husband, raising 4 young kids, having a full time job, paying all bills/mortgage, etc. Oh yeah plus $7,000. Absolutely obscene. She has some seriously impressive strength.

Man, this was heavy. I know mark has since passed away and my heart breaks for the loss of his life far too soon, his children & his wife. I don’t think I will ever forget this story 😔

Mark's poor wife. What a beautiful woman to care for him for so long. I wish her all the best now and hope she can move on with her life ❤️

Sending love to Bruce Willis and each and every other person affected by this disease. ❤😢

I have a friend who has this. Her whole personality changed. She divorced her husband of many years, exhibited bizarre behavior, and she's now aphasic. She gained about 200 pounds. Her kids are terrified because their grandmother also died from it. She was in a memory care facility and is now in a long-term care hospital. It's just awful.

This broke my heart. My mum had FTD Dementia, she was diagnosed in 2013, she died in 2016. It was so fast and progressive. The rapid change in her completely stripped my mums character & personality. My mum was such a beautiful kind caring giving person. Loved by everyone and she was my best friend in the world. When my mum lost her mobility and her speech. That was the hardest. She couldn't lift her head up and her neck just hung forward and her head would bend over. I remember I would push her everywhere in her wheelchair. It was very difficult but I didn't care as long as she got outside and continued to shopping or have some food. The first time she choked we were in a cafe, and she forgot how to swallow. They wouldn't put a tube because they said she would pull it out. She then got infections all the time. Then she got pneumonia and we slowly watched her die. All I can say this is the cruelest disease I've ever known. It's so cruel and painful at the end. To watch my mum suffer in that way literally broke me. My mum passed and three months later I got breast cancer. The trauma from being my mums carer is still with me every day. I'm so grateful for videos like this. We need to get FTD dementia out there to the world. I pray no one has to go through this. I Hope they do find a cure and soon. God bless all the people with FTD, their family and friends 🙏 ❤️

Two very powerful episodes of 60 Minutes., which has compassionately educated the world for many years.

I feel so sorry for Amy and her little ones. I pray she finds peace of mind and strength when she needs it. She is a strong, good person.

I feel so sorry for Amy and her children. May God be with you.

My Husband whom passed away on January 11 2016 Had Frontal Dementia, He had wore a 24 Hour Patch, he also battled Parkinson’s Disease. God was so GOOD, Al was such a KIND MAN, he was a JOY to care for never A JOB...My Al was A JOY, I would do it all over again.

My wonderful neighbor back in NY was an eloquent, fun loving, witty, popular, much loved judge. When he was diagnosed, the sidewalk conversations we used to have...started to go...and I ached for that to return. John is no longer with us. I think of him so very often...

It's so sad when I see stories on FTD. I have FTD myself and as a 47 year old 5 years into it you really have no places to turn for help or support. Most places are for elderly or for alzheimers . Very few places ,help and support are for younger. Also getting diagnosed is years of test and stress. Now I am in decline. Its so sad and worrisome not knowing what's going to happen to me. Support groups I find really don't exist. I am not speaking of zoom. I can't even get on stuff like that. The physical groups aren't their for the younger people with this horrible existence. Bless everyone and their family who have or know someone who has this. It's pure evil.

One of the saddest things about this kind of illness is that after your loved one dies your strongest memories of them are about the last part of their lives. My father had always been a funny, creative, kind man who thought of others, but in his last years all that had gone. As his caretaker I witnessed the destruction of his personality and dealt with the negative behavior and now they are the main things I remember.

This disease is heartbreaking. I lost my Mom to it. She was just 55 at diagnosis when we noticed symptoms. 6 years later, at age 61 she passed away. The decline was swift, aggravating, aggressive, and sobering.

My husband was diagnosed with the behavioral variant of Frontotemporal Degeneration in 2016. I advocate for him daily.

Unbelievably sad for the families and the people with FTD😢😢

This is so very sad and there's nothing anybody can do!

This is heartbreaking 💔 😢

So sorry to watch and listen to this testimonies, hope medicine will find a cure and my best wishes to the families keep fighting

Thoughts and prayers for Bruce Willis 😢

My mom developed FTD. Her behaviors became so bad that I could not take care of her. It broke my heart and hers. The ugly truth of FTD is that it does not effect intelligence so it’s hard for family to understand.

Bruce Willis FTD diagnosis brought me here. Such a terrible disease. Prayers to Bruce and his family.

Bruce Willis has just been diagnosed with this illness, his family said. How very sad😔 . This is a terrible affliction for everyone involved.

My mother showed no sign of traditional dementia but living alone we noticed that there were reminder post it notes all over the house. Brain disease is the worst. Frustrating and painful to both patient and family. This country needs national health!

This is a sad story! I wish there was a way that this disease FTD could be detected. Thank you for this great invaluable information!

Blessings and Prayers for Our Actor BRUCE WILLIS and his family! WE LOVE OUR ICONIC ACTOR BRUCE WILLIS!

If you can get medical assistance to end your life if you have a terminal disease, why can't you get help to end your life if you have dementia? It's absolutely crazy! I guess they need as many people as possible so they can do their research?? I am 72, I would end my life as soon as I got diagnosed with it! I can't imagine living like that and putting my family through the expense of taking care of me. It would be a living nightmare for everyone concerned. My heart goes out to anyone who has to endure this.

Thoughts Love and Payers for Bruce and his family ❤

I had Brain Cancer, Surgery & Radiation & believe me, it has been a ruff road so in some ways I can relate. I am the only one that is still alive (BCancer) & I'm in an old people's home... I'm 57

I feel you. My daughter is only 31 years old and has alzheimer's and seizures frontal lobe. It's a very hard road, but we all can do it. God doesn't give us things we can't handle. Bless you all 🙏

I'm here because of Wendy Williams.

Really sad Bruce Willis will have to get through this, I hope somehow he gets well and healthy again.

My wife was diagnosed in 2014. Now ten years later her bowels don’t function, her speech is very rarely understandable. She aspirates foot particles and struggles to swallow. She craves chocolate and cakes and only eats decent food rarely. Now she sleeps for 16 to 18 hours per day. Her issues are multiplied by the fact that she has had MS since 1990 and has been chair or bed bound for the last 15 years. I hoisted her to bed at 18:00 yesterday and she is still asleep at 10:15 the day after. It’s an absolutely horrendous illness and I feel for everyone that has any involvement with this disease.

Wow, I felt so sad about her.

Well she’s talking pretty well compared to my girlfriend who has it. Who has FTD. Now she can’t speak. She can’t walk. And she lost interest in everything, except food. Mostly sweets Coke, And french fries etc. so I really hope and pray she doesn’t end up like my girlfriend who was so independent and could dance great. It was very intelligent. That’s all gone. But I still go see her. And be with her. And tell her I love her and hold her hand.❤️

As a 40 year childhood brain cancer survivor, I definitely feel like this regularly. Memory, mental and physical state have all continued to dateriate. I believe it does stem from 6 brain surgeries, 1 brain tumor relapse, 7 brain ablations and refractory epilepsy. The medication for the seizures make it worse too. All I can say is make each day count now for what it is. Ive been doing my bucket list with family and friends. I'm not going to let another diagnosis hold me back.

So sad about the father with the young family. And his wife.

I can't believe that it is $7,000 a month. Coming from a speechless Australian. I just prayer that the pain has eased some. Much love and prayers to all of them.

$7,000 a month!! That poor woman...

My Mom died 11 years ago from frontotemperal lobe dementia. She was 63 at death and 50 at diagnosis. She had aphasia and getting her to talk more than 2 words was hard.

I would live to connect my sister in law with this young lady since she is going through this as well. It's so hard for our family.

Young mother Amy Johnson of Windom Minnesota needs help as she shoulders a $7000.00 a month bill for her disabled by frontal lobe dementia 40 yr old husband's facility bill; this is financially impossible for her to sustain for 5 more years and also have to work constantly to provide for her life alone w her small children. Please help her and her four very young boys.

We received the diagnosis that my mother had FTD after we took her to the emergency room for what we thought was a mental health crisis. The doctor told us it was the worst case he had ever seen. We thought she was suffering from severe anxiety and depression. She ended up dying a few days after we were given the news. Her health was failing and we had to make the decision to continue care or choose comfort care instead. Seeing this, I am glad we made the decision that we did. At least she was spared further suffering. The scary part is that there can be a genetic component to this. I don't worry about myself, but I would hate to think that my family might have to deal with this one day.

I pray to god/Allah/Buddha..et that we find a cure for this and cancer soon. This was so heartbreaking to watch

Thank you for sharing your story.

After coming to my mom's to relocate her husband to a care home I realized mom couldn't function alone. I moved to center Georgia several hours from home over 14 months ago. I know it's some form of dementia. We have spoken to our doctor about testing to define the type only to realize.....what for? She takes a "memory pill" but who knows if it's of benefit. The doctors and pharmacist agree that no matter the type, no real treatment plan. We got busy, walking two miles per morning. I took over cooking, paying bills, making appointments etc. Back in February covid pneumonia set her back. Well the lord spared her, we started our exercise regime but now 1 1/2 miles is a struggle. Mom's 78 and I commend her effort and exertion seems to help fight the dementia back. Even though I don't feel productive and am penniless, this has been such the blessing, caring for the sweet girl. Some days the blessing is hard to see thru my tears but they do exist. I may not be able to provide care once she slips further away and unable use the restroom alone? I worry that my never quit, marine corps ethos may keep me seeking better care later on. I guess I would be forced to sign over her home and car to the government in exchange for the care. It's a shame how the dollar keeps entering into the conversation. This disease that's killing her has laid waste to my personal future but I realize I would have had no chance at a future without her raising me. The Lord hasn't brought us this far to put us down and forget our needs. Please keep us in you're prayers. She loves and appreciates me greatly, but I feel like the old man son, interested on the SSI check arrival. My Ambition is gone.

this is so scary and sad

extremely painful

Prayers up to Bruce Willis and his family

This is devastating.

My mother was diagnosed last year. It is sad that she is like a different person now, but she is still happy and knows Christ. I am thankful for that.

As wonderful as life is we all have our crosses to carry...this is a tough one

Just lost someone to this. She was not herself in the end. She was completely out of it. She had to be under 24-7 care and it ran the entire family down with stressing about who was coming and sitting with Granny. We tried to keep her out of the nursing home until it wasn't possible. She was falling and gets injured. She was alsocdoqbetic and she would hit people who tried to help or check her insulin levels. She was an amazing person who loves Jesus and did what was right for anyone she came across. She didn't care about things or money. She loved her family and cooking for them. Once she had to go into a nursing home they placed her into a lockdown unit and medicated her so all she would do is sleep and wake up be mean to everyone. She would use the bathroom on herself then spread that all over her room herself and other patients rooms in the unit she couod get to. She constantly teied to escape and she alsp stole other patients belongings. It broke me having to watch this unfold and i would not wish it on my worst enemy.

All types of dementia are really cruel.. esp for family members & loved ones

I took care of a patient that showed these symptoms and behavior. His daughter , her husband keep her at home but it was so difficult a lot of times. She died on 2015 .

What amazing episode! Thank You

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 66, and she has an atypical form of the disease that makes it hard for her to remember names and nowadays often other words as well, so in that respect her symptoms are quite alike with FTD. In my mom's case her episodic memory will be affected much slower than it usually does in Alzheimer's. Her diagnosis was confirmed with an MRI scan, so it is very important to get proper medical examination and diagnosis early on in order to discern what's behind the symptoms. When it comes to Alzheimer's there is growing body of evidence that you can affect the course of the disease by lifestyle intervention, medication and supplements (e.g. Souvenaid), so early intervention is crucial. I truly hope more funding would be given for academic study of the many forms of dementias as pharmaceutical industry hasn't really come up with promising medications despite all money that has been poured in it.

SO SAD...

Amy I would ask you to maybe see if there is space on your property for a possible granny flat that can have its own waste high fence around it to help keep him close but also assure you that he’s safe as well as yourself. I say this to save money for your four children, they have a 50/50 chance of the gene. They might need that money too. My dad had FTD, he was on chill pills but he also stole and then we had to keep him in the house to prevent him from stealing eventually he knew he wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without his adult kids or wife. He then world go in the yard and sweep. He enjoyed this ever much. We had bead string on his door so we could hear him if he come in or out of his room. He would collect wood and birdhouse planting them. Never detailed but a nice two color base. I enjoy have these now and getting to add my own details to them. Dr. Miller, it would be wonderful if you could possibly cure some of the FTD genes in five years. That would be a true blessing for this world 🙏

I am here to support Carol and learn more of this horrible disease.

I took care of a gal that it not only effects your speech but your swallowing and even choking and through this you loose a great deal of weight it was so sad and very quick acting as far as death ☹

Nothing you can do Amy. You are fine lady, be happy and still visit.

I am suffering with first signs like apathy lack of emapthy

My father in law had this. My husband is having some changes and I am really worried he has it too

My dad died of this. My youngest brother has it I could have it my other brother may have it I might have it and the thing that scares me the most is my daughter may have it

My mother lives with me and has Dementia, schizophrenia, bipolar. It’s a struggle every day. ❣️🙏🏻

My 65 year old sister has this. She was diagnosed about 3 years ago. She is a shell of her former self.

I did not know you could get FTD.....that young. 😢 I just looked it up online....and the youngest case ever was a 14yo. This is a horrifying disease. 🥺

Judging by only these two people with the two forms of FTD (if there are only two), it seems that the speech-affecting form is far better than the behavioral-variant form. Both are horrible, of course. My heart goes out to them and their spouses.

She has such a tragic and sad sad story. There aren't a lot of people on earth with her character and strength. She's staying by his side even though it's just a shell of a person formally known as Mark.

So scary and sad.

God bless Amy.

i ACHE FOR WENDY WILLIAMS

I wish more funding was being put into the research into FTD.

This is me, I just got diagnosed after complaining to the family doctor for about five years. They finally sent me to a neurologist who diagnosed it and was amazed they had ignored the symptoms and my begging them to help me. It turned out I that I had a stroke which she found, not them. I'm finally getting help because of her and not my primary care doctor. So don't let your family doctor ignore and blow you off. Force the issue.

Is severe sleep disturbance a symptom.

I have some new found break thru ideas and plans

Came here after the Bruce Willis news. 😞

Happened to a couple of my uncles, afraid it could happen to me.

So, I wonder what would happen if she stopped paying the $7000 a month. Just kick him out on the street?

Welp, a lot of people are hearing about it today. Good Luck Bruce Willis.

Nursing home industry is criminal. $7000 a month for this guy? He walks into elderly patients rooms and takes their food? Now we all understand it's not his fault but presumably someone is paying for those people to live there too and even if they were living there for free they would deserve to be safe. Who is keeping them safe from him? Nobody, obviously if he is allowed to walk into their rooms. For $7000 a month he should have a one on one preventing him from doing this. Seriously. It's just plain frightening. People can be kept away from others and under better security. Nobody deserves to be in a facility they are not allowed to leave and this huge man comes in and steals their food away from them!

This was before 60 minutes went full crazed political. How I miss this show. Used to be my favorite

I think I have this. I can say the meanest most hurtful things to people, even people I really like. I don’t mean to do this l can’t control it. I struggle to find words. Sometimes it takes me a minute to remember what I’m doing.

I really like this channel

Anyone here after McClane's diagnosis?

Wow. I have autism and ADHD and the symptoms seem quite similar. The guy who gained all that weight reminds me a little bit of myself, and he comes across a bit autistic. You obviously don’t get autism or ADHD later in life but I wonder if dementia is about as close as you get to ”aquired autism” or ”aquired adhd”. I don’t know what being normal is like, and I don’t know if there is any way to understand. I do worry that I will get something like this in the future since I’ve heard the likelihood is higher when you already have these conditions. I’d rather not lose whatever mental abilities I have. And knowing that you are going to lose even more is scary. That you cannot stop the process. So I wonder if there is anything I could do to preserve my mental health and most importantly happiness. And avoid getting killed by mental degeneration… I’m feeling quite scared you know. Cause so much of the brain is unknown.

Why does FTD occur? How can we stop this devastating illness?

Makes you wonder if this is really what happened to Peter Gibbons in Office Space? He just stopped caring.

The way my brain works is that I know what the person did or what class we had in college or even something so trivial as their preferred brand of cigarettes and food but their name does not register with me immediately 🏐

Oh my God, I've started classes for memory for this exact thing! Oh my 55 and just find out on youtube! Oh my, oh my oh my my!

I wish I had the money to get checked … :/

So cruel.

Of the first two people people profiled, one looked like Robin Williams and the other looked like Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire.

The ring enhancing lesion on contrasted CT is not FTD. It is a tumor, probably a glioma.

2 dear family members have it...

FTD is such a cruel thief. RIP dear Terry Jones.