Martin Scorsese’s wife, Helen Morris, 78, is living with Parkinson’s disease and their daughter is taking care of her.
Francesca Scorsese, 26, posted a video on TikTok of a family moment in which she sits at a table with Morris, her mother, whose head is down.
“Reminder to tell your parents you love them because one day you will have to take care of them the way they once took care of you,” she wrote on Sept. 2.
Her father is known for directing hit films, such as "Raging Bull" and "The Wolf of Wall Street."
The 82-year-old married Morris in July 1999 and Francesca Scorsese was born a few months later in November that same year. Morris had been a book editor at Random House but soon retired after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
“Never take health for granted,” their daughter added before inserting #parkinsonsawareness and #martinscorsese hashtags in the TikTok video caption.
The Parkinson’s Foundation describes the illness as a condition often diagnosed when symptoms, such as tremors, rigidity, lack of movement, and postural instability, are present.
“The only thing surprising about this post by Martin Scorsese’s daughter is how young she is because most children caregivers are in their 50s,” Virginia-based estate planning and elder law attorney Evan Farr told NTD. “But even her age is not terribly surprising, as Parkinson's is often diagnosed at a very early age.”
Fox, known for Hollywood movies such as "Back to the Future," was 29 years old when he was diagnosed in 1991.
“What stood out is that Francesca let us see it,” adult and geriatric psychiatrist Barbara Sparacino told NTD. “Caregiving is often hidden, but Francesca sharing shows the world that aging touches every family, even Hollywood ones.”
"Certain diagnosis such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are not easy, especially as the disease progresses," Senior Housing Solutions owner and placement adviser Bruce Rosenblatt told NTD. "I was touched how caring and empathetic Francesca was for her mom."
In the TikTok video, Francesca Scorsese sweeps back her mother's hair, raises a glass to her mouth, and touches her arm.
"Beyond offering followers the opportunity to feel compassion for her mother’s health circumstances, and spreading the word about Parkinson’s disease, it appears that Francesca also understands that her celebrity status comes with a responsibility to spread the word to others about family values," Joy Loverde, author of "The Complete Eldercare Planner and Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old?" told NTD.