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Today, for the first time, FIL could not remember my name. I have been with him practically 24/7 in his home every day for the last 3 years. He has lost interest in keeping himself up. Teeth, drinking water, motivation to exercise. He wakes, has breakfast and promptly falls asleep. If I can get him to walk or pedal he then falls asleep. He eats lunch, falls asleep. He is constantly dozing. This is a new behavior. I feel like he's kinda given up. He's moving excessively slow, about twice as slow as before.

He cannot make decisions for himself but that is not new. He's super codependent and my husband and I have him decide what he would like to eat, wear, etc. his deceased wife always made those decisions for him and I think it was initially freeing for him to be able to think for himself but alas the reality of choices mixed with his confusion he's pining for the days when MIL told him when to go to the bathroom along with every other decision for the 47 years of their marriage. Hence the giving up.

Am I reading too much into this all or are big changes coming sooner than later?

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Thank you. That's what I thought...unpredictable. It seems it hit every elder differently. It's so different day to day, sometimes minute by minute. He has some form of sundowners too I think. He does not get hallucinations or freak out at nights fall but does get very, very busy. Pacing, making his bed, wanting me to do laundry (his sock obsession)...all between 5pm and 9 pm or so. It's like that time is his morning. It's all so unpredictable and trying. I'm one who likes to do research and anticipate what may come. This disease just is not like that. Life on life's terms and like you said, one day at a time.
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It does sound like your FIL is advancing to a later stage of dementia. I don't know if anyone can predict what will happen from here. With my father it was just taking things a day at a time. We couldn't stop the decline, so kept him as comfortable as we could. Fortunately, my father remained rational and was able to stay at home until the last few days of his life. It was not an enjoyable time, but we followed his wishes. My mother also has dementia, but is not rational at all. I'm just taking it a day at a time as she progresses.
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Yes he has both. They have had trouble diagnosing him. He has had it all, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, severe brain atrophy with compressed spine (causing the Parkinsonism). They have settled back to severe brain atrophy and Alzheimer's. We were just at dr. two weeks ago for his annual and we do go back to his primary (geriatrician) next week. His next neurologist appointment is not until February.

In addition to the above he's also eating less than usual.
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Dementia does progress, and that may be what you are seeing. Does he see a geriatrician? A dementia specialist? I would discuss his new symptoms with his doctor.
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Sorry. I meant for this to be question.
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