A woman has created a 'business card' for her mum with Alzheimer's to help people understand her diagnosis.
Patti Bell, 65, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2021 but was showing early signs in her mid 50s.
Patti's young looks meant that people were confused when interacting with her.
So daughter Molly Bell Deaton, 43, devised the idea of an informative 'business card'.
The small card has Patti's name on the front and on the back a little bio which explains the situation.
Molly and her family can discreetly hand the card to the person that interacting with them - without Patti noticing - which alleviates any confusion and anxiety.
Molly, who works as an operations manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, said: "The card has made the biggest difference as a care giver.
"When we would take my mum out, people didn't understand what was going on. They were confused because she looks so young and so healthy.
"Normally someone with Alzheimer's or dementia if they're older, people can assume it is the case."
Molly came up with the idea after her mum Patti struggled to communicate with staff at a restaurant during a Mother's Day dinner in 2019.
She said: "We all went out to a restaurant to celebrate and that experience was pivotal.
"Her difficultly ordering and communicating with the staff at the restaurant and her overall heightened anxiety being in public put me on a mission to find something that identified Alzheimer’s to others."
Molly didn't find anything out there so she created a card that she could hand out to people her mum interacted with.
She said: "It just helps alleviate the stress that we are feeling when we want to communicate what is going on without doing that in front of her.
"There isn't anything that identifies Alzheimer's like other diagnoses so we found this the most helpful."
Patti Bell, 65, was first diagnosed with the disease in 2021 but was showing early signs in her mid 50s.
Patti's young looks meant that people were confused when interacting with her.
So daughter Molly Bell Deaton, 43, devised the idea of an informative 'business card'.
The small card has Patti's name on the front and on the back a little bio which explains the situation.
Molly and her family can discreetly hand the card to the person that interacting with them - without Patti noticing - which alleviates any confusion and anxiety.
Molly, who works as an operations manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, said: "The card has made the biggest difference as a care giver.
"When we would take my mum out, people didn't understand what was going on. They were confused because she looks so young and so healthy.
"Normally someone with Alzheimer's or dementia if they're older, people can assume it is the case."
Molly came up with the idea after her mum Patti struggled to communicate with staff at a restaurant during a Mother's Day dinner in 2019.
She said: "We all went out to a restaurant to celebrate and that experience was pivotal.
"Her difficultly ordering and communicating with the staff at the restaurant and her overall heightened anxiety being in public put me on a mission to find something that identified Alzheimer’s to others."
Molly didn't find anything out there so she created a card that she could hand out to people her mum interacted with.
She said: "It just helps alleviate the stress that we are feeling when we want to communicate what is going on without doing that in front of her.
"There isn't anything that identifies Alzheimer's like other diagnoses so we found this the most helpful."
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FunTranscript
00:00 This card has made the biggest difference. As a caregiver, when we would take my mom out, people didn't understand what was going on.
00:12 They were confused because she does look so young and so healthy. So normally someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, if they're older, people can assume that that is the case.
00:23 I made these cards and it has been really helpful. On the front it just says "Hello" and her name. And then on the back it gives a little bio and explains the situation.
00:34 So if we are at a restaurant, we can hand this card to the waiter or the waitress. If we are at a department store, we can hand it to the person assisting us.
00:43 It just helps. It helps alleviate the stress that we are feeling when we are wanting to be able to communicate what's going on without doing that in front of her.
00:53 And then the relief on the other person's face and their response has been amazing.
01:00 So on the front it just says "Hello" and her name. It says "Christian wife, mom, mamaw, daughter, sister, and friend."
01:08 And on the back it's a little bio. It says "I love Jesus. My husband Mark and I have two children, Molly and Patrick. We have three grandchildren, Parker, Ella, and Sophie.
01:17 We are Mooresville natives and we have remained in the area watching the growth over the years.
01:22 I love my dog Moses very much and he is the focus of my attention each day.
01:26 I was a teacher for many years and worked at my dad's restaurants when I was growing up and as an adult. Bob's Grill was the latest restaurant he owned."
01:34 At the bottom in bold it says "I have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. My family would greatly appreciate your understanding, patience, and compassion."
01:43 And I don't know if this would do anything for you guys but I did want to share it because there isn't anything that identifies Alzheimer's like other diagnoses.
01:56 So I wanted to just share it. So I hope this is helpful. I hope you guys have a great day. Bye.