A son who was devastated to watch his mum suffer through dementia says her memory has now improved massively thanks to changing her diet.
Eighty-two-year-old Sylvia Hatzer was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in December 2016, and begun to deteriorate rapidly. She was hospitalised the following March after having a seizure and it was here that son Mark 'reached the lowest point of his life' when his mum failed to recognise him.
Sylvia was also accusing staff of kidnapping her and at one point medics were considering sectioning her under the Mental Health Act for her own safety, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Fortunately, this wasn't necessary and two months later she was discharged.
Mark told the newspaper: "When my mum was in hospital she thought it was a hotel - but the worst one she had ever been in.
"She didn't recognise me and phoned the police as she thought she'd been kidnapped.
"Since my dad and brother died we have always been a very close little family unit, just me and my mum, so for her to not know who I was was devastating.
"We were a double act that went everywhere together. I despaired and never felt so alone as I had no other family to turn to.
"Overnight we went from a happy family to one in crisis."
Now, just a year later, Sylvia has been used as an example by the Alzheimer's Society of how the condition can be significantly improved.
Having once not recognised her own son, Sylvia is now able to recall birthdays, look after herself and even go along to tea dances to let her hair down.
Mark continued: "When she left hospital, instead of prescribed medication we thought we'd perhaps try alternative treatment.
"In certain countries Alzheimer's is virtually unheard of because of their diet.
"Everyone knows about fish but there's also blueberries, strawberries, Brazil nuts and walnuts - these are apparently shaped like a brain to give us a sign that they are good for the brain."
As well as making dietary changes, Sylvia also took up cognitive exercises like jigsaws and crosswords and began to socialise more. She also bought a pedalling device so she can do some gentle exercise while still staying in her chair.
Mark added: "It wasn't an overnight miracle but after a couple of months she began remembering things like birthdays and was becoming her old self again, more alert, more engaged.
"People think that once you get a diagnosis your life is at an end. You will have good and bad days but it doesn't have to be the end.
"For an 82-year-old she does very well, she looks 10 years younger and if you met her you would not know she has gone through all this."
Their new approach has been recognised by the Alzheimer's Society who share the diet and exercise regime on its website.
Sue Clarke, from the Alzheimer's Society, said: "It's fantastic that Sylvia along with her son Mark have taken action to create a personal plan that works well for her dementia diagnosis.
"There is currently no cure or way of preventing the progression of the condition, but taking regular gentle exercise, eating a healthy diet and doing cognitive exercises can help someone with dementia manage their condition more effectively.
"In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes and almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected. Yet too many people face the condition alone without adequate support.
"Alzheimer's Society can provide advice on how you can live the well with the condition."
Sylvia and Mark have even been invited to the Queen's Garden Party this summer in recognition of their efforts.
To find out more about living with Alzheimer's you can check out the Alzheimer's Society page here.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester Evening NewsTopics: UK News, Interesting