My mum’s alcohol-induced dementia means she forgets she has grandkids – her reaction to them is heartbreaking

JOSIE Hunt has two gorgeous grandchildren - three-year-old Marli and little Lottie, who is three months old.

But the 65-year-old forgets they exist almost every day.

She has Korsakoff's syndrome - an alcohol-induced form of dementia which robs her of her short-term memory.

It means she finds out she is a grandmother for the 'first time' each time she sees the kids.

Josie's daughter Jade Mead, 35, says that when they meet up, her mum always says: "Jade, you didn't tell me you had children."

Despite the surprise, Josie is never annoyed and loves cuddling the youngsters like it's the first time they've met.

Josie also doesn't remember that Jade's sister Hayley Hunt, 41, has a baby, Jade said.

The mum-of-two, a fitness coach from Perth, Australia, said: "It's a strange one as she still has all her long-term memory.

"It's a bittersweet moment when she sees the kids."

Josie developed her form of dementia after drinking alcohol following a gastric sleeve operation in February 2020, Jade said.

Her condition deteriorated quickly, and she was diagnosed with Korsakoff's syndrome in October 2020.

Jade, who lives with husband Ryan, said: "I believe it stemmed from the surgery.

"Her health started declining from there. She looked so frail.

"She had been drinking alcohol which we didn't know about, and you shouldn't do that."

It is believed the booze consumption caused a lack of nutrients to go to the brain - causing her brain damage and memory loss.

Jade said: "She declined very quickly.

"She wasn't making any sense."

Thankfully, Jade has been told her mum shouldn't get any worse for a while so the family can stay positive.

She said: "She's always been very loving.

"My three-year-old doesn't ask any questions but I just tell her 'nanny forgets'."

Josie is now living in a supported living home.