Hi Keegan
My symptoms fluctuate as, I think, do most people's with dementia. I have always been an independent person and want to remain that way as much as possible but these symptoms I know would make me appear lazy to anyone that doesn't know me. When they symptoms are bad, I do 'forget' for want of a better word - because it isn't really forgetting - to feed myself and do many of the daily care things. When the phase passes, and my brain gets into gear again, I can do it, it's not that I have just remembered but that my brain is functioning again.
It is a fine line between pushing someone to do something when they really can't, but they can't tell you they can't - that's when it is so frightening when you know you can't communicate your needs, or what is going on and those around you, you may also be aware are making wrong assumptions about your abilities. I say to people that understand and know me, 'Do you really think I'd be letting someone else do it for me if I could do it myself?' - it is what tells
me there is something wrong.
The mental effort involved in doing anything when the brain is under such onslaught at times is so much and letting someone feed you would be saying to me 'I need you to do this' not because I am 'choosing not to eat' as some may interpret it but simply because I cannot do it for myself.
Sorry for waffling on.
Best wishes
Sue