His mum doesn't recognise him any more. And his response is perfect.

“I recently stopped bringing my guitar to my Mom’s home because she no longer recognises me… I wish I would have played a lot more to her when she did.”

These are the words from a son who is slowly losing his mother to Alzheimer’s.

Musician Joe Fraley moved back home about a year and a half ago to help his father take care of his mum who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s – a condition where you initially lose short-term memory and deteriorate slowly. Joe used to play a song on his guitar for his mum every day and at first she responded with joy and happiness.

Joe Fraley playing to his mother.

But as Joe’s mum declined he stopped playing music for her because she no longer wanted to hear it. The result for her son was heartbreaking.

He had originally uploaded his music playing videos to a private YouTube channel to share with his family. But when Joe’s mum began declining in health he decided to share it with his friends before putting it on Reddit with the caption, “I recently stopped bringing my guitar to my Mom’s home because she no longer recognizes me and doesn’t respond to it any more. I wish I would have a played a lot more to her when she did.”

Joe was overwhelmed with the positive response – from a video that is a real tear-jerker (seriously have tissues at the ready). He said of the video, “This was when she lived with my Dad and I at home.”

It is a video that many can relate to, and one that shines light on an awful and debilitating disease.

Since the video was made Joe’s mum has moved in to a home with carers.

“My mom currently is in a stage where she wanders endlessly looking for her home.

“It’s too hard for me to play songs to someone who I considered to be my biggest fan and have them leave the room during. At least at this moment. But once that stops I’ll most likely start bringing my guitar again and continue to sing to her,” Joe wrote on Reddit.

We hope that happens soon, Joe.

What advivce would you give to Joe?