Thank you Tony for that example of a memory test.
I have this sneaky feeling that if Mum were to take this one, under pressure as in she is being "good" for a doctor, that she might score pretty well.
Yet Mum doesn't know if she is hungry or not, she can't tell the time..... You would think they could come up with more practical things, like putting in a shoelace (which we have been doing since kids), folding a shirt, dialling successfully a phone number, telling the time, making tea or coffee, explaining how to cook their favorite recipe etc, how to get to their local bank..... at least these would be real tests of their competence to be alone or not.
One day, I might just try this one out on Mum, just for the record. Anyone know of other valid ones, so I can keep my own personal record?