Jim was originally diagnosed with dementia in April 2020. It was right at the start of the pandemic, so it was a phone assessment rather than  an in person appointment.

This time, we got the full experience. Jim handled it like a champ.

It was a two hour appointment where they tested his balance and frailty, comprehension and memory. They took a look at his medical history and general health.

Me, being the person I am, I had a three page typewritten medical history, including his family history so they didn’t have to waste time asking/rewriting the information. The nurse practioner and doctor were thrilled at my forethought.

I also has a page full of questions so I didn’t forget anything.

His dementia diagnosis wasn’t unexpected. He was a 16/30 back in 2020 and had fallen to 14/30 in 2021. This time his score was 10/30, right on the cusp of sliding into severe dementia.

I was surprised that he’d lost 20 pounds. He hasn’t been able to fit into his jeans since  last summer. To be fair, we haven’t tried them lately. Honestly, he’s forgotten about them and they’re too hard to get on and off. He’s having enough trouble with the waistband of his sweatpants.

One thing that surprised me. Or maybe I should say, dismayed me was that the doctor suggested I cut out the vitamins I’d been giving him. She said his blood test results looked fantastic (vitamin B was actually too high) but at this point, especially since he was having difficulty swallowing, they were unnecessary.

We’re at the tipping point where having a healthy body doesn’t work to his advantage.

It was a stark reminder about what severe dementia really means. It’s not just the lack of memory and incontinence. It’s that we are on the final countdown.

His life expectancy can’t really be measured in years anymore. His time left with a quality life, even less.

I’ve been good through this whole thing. I’m a doer by nature and I’ve had plenty to do.

What do I do when he’s gone?