I live in USA, so I apologize in advance if my terms seem off. I care for both my elderly parents, both with dementia, ages 89 and 88. They live in their own home. I live nearby.
My dad is hard of hearing, and has not been able to use the telephone in10+ years. He cannot hear the doorbell ring, nor the phone ring.
My mom has had significant trouble dialing the phone recently and it seems to have just suddenly worsened, making me worried that she could not call for help. I even have her practicing calling my cellular phone when I am at their house, so we can keep that skill.....but she is failing nearly every time we practice.
Now she has forgotten how to use the microwave oven, which makes feeding them more difficult. I normally would bring leftovers to their house from my family dinner the night before, and mom would heat them up for their dinner the next evening. I went a month without my leftovers being touched, so now I and my brother are only bringing in restaurant food, hot and ready-to-eat.
I guess what my question is.....what is the next thing coming? Is there a common list of skills that disappear in some order? No cooking, not even warming up food, no telephone (laundry is questionable).......what is the next thing they forget?
My dad is hard of hearing, and has not been able to use the telephone in10+ years. He cannot hear the doorbell ring, nor the phone ring.
My mom has had significant trouble dialing the phone recently and it seems to have just suddenly worsened, making me worried that she could not call for help. I even have her practicing calling my cellular phone when I am at their house, so we can keep that skill.....but she is failing nearly every time we practice.
Now she has forgotten how to use the microwave oven, which makes feeding them more difficult. I normally would bring leftovers to their house from my family dinner the night before, and mom would heat them up for their dinner the next evening. I went a month without my leftovers being touched, so now I and my brother are only bringing in restaurant food, hot and ready-to-eat.
I guess what my question is.....what is the next thing coming? Is there a common list of skills that disappear in some order? No cooking, not even warming up food, no telephone (laundry is questionable).......what is the next thing they forget?