@mollybelldeaton After Mom’s neurology appt today; waiting on Dad in the lobby. Trying to keep her occupied in conversation. It always turns to Dad. She looks for him constantly. Their love is so special. 🥰 #dementia #alzheimer #caregiver #alzheimersawareness ♬ original sound – Molly Bell Deaton
A touching moment captured in a viral TikTok video showcases the enduring love between a mother battling Alzheimer’s and her devoted daughter.
Molly Bell Deaton, the creator behind the heartwarming video, shared a tender interaction with her mother, Patti Bell, who at 65 years old is navigating stage 6 of Alzheimer’s disease.
In the clip, Bell gently reminds her mother of a significant milestone: her enduring marriage.
With a warm smile, Bell Deaton asks her mother, “I think y’all been married for 40 years?” To which her mother, Patti Bell, responds with genuine excitement, “Really? Oh my gosh, we are. That’s awesome. I love it.”
The heartwarming exchange unfolded as mother and daughter waited in the lobby of her neurologist’s office, seeking to engage Patti Bell in conversation and distract her from her surroundings.
In the video’s caption, Bell Deaton shares the emotional significance of the moment, noting her mother’s unwavering love for her father, despite the challenges posed by her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. She writes, “Trying to keep her occupied in conversation… Their love is so special.”
The touching video resonated deeply with viewers, amassing over 2.1 million likes and 16.4 million views on TikTok within two months of its posting. Commenters flooded the video with messages of support and empathy, sharing their own experiences caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s.
Reflecting on the resilience exhibited by Patti Bell, an aged care worker writes, “We have a married couple in my dementia unit and they both won’t move an INCH if the other one isn’t around, it makes me cry everytime.” Others shared personal anecdotes, highlighting the emotional toll of witnessing loved ones grapple with the disease.
Acknowledging the profound impact of her father’s presence on her mother’s well-being, Bell Deaton responds to a commenter, stating, “She is a totally different person when Dad isn’t close by. He is definitely her comfort and security đź’”.”
Alzheimer’s disease progresses through seven stages, with stage six characterized by severe cognitive decline and moderately severe dementia, according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
Individuals at this stage may struggle with basic activities of daily living and experience difficulty recalling day-to-day information.
Although TikTok is well known for having a younger user base than other social media platforms, Bell Deaton has shared numerous videos of her mother’s Alzheimer’s journey which have garnered heartwarming responses.
One of these videos includes the moment Bell Deaton first introduced her mother to her newborn grandson who instinctively wanted to rock the baby to sleep.
