I think he is just staring at the same page. When I ask what topic or part of the story he just read, I get very general answers. So tonight, I asked what page he is on so far. He said page 94. He picked this book out of our library about a month ago. Page 94 in 4 weeks? And it’s a book he had read before; back when he read for real. What to do?
If your husband has not been tested for cognitive impairment, now might be the time to have such a test taken. Is he against going to his doctor for an evaluation? Your question is not really clear about what's going on with him.
My mother suffers from moderate dementia & stopped reading about 8 months ago. She was an avid reader her whole life, books, magazines, etc. Now she says she 'reads the newspaper' which I seriously doubt, but they do have a newspaper out on the dining table at the Assisted Living she resides at, so who knows? I DO know she can longer read her novels or her People magazines and has asked me to dx the subscription.
Good luck!
P.S. and by the way, my husband had a massive stroke at the age of 48, and lost his ability to read, write, talk, and walk. I would always just smile when we would go to any Dr's office, and he would pick up a magazine to "read", when I knew he was just looking at it, and that was ok with me. I think he just wanted to feel more "normal"(whatever that means), as probably your husband does too.
I have read that someone with dementia has been covering up signs and symptoms for up to 10 years before they are “officially “ diagnosed.
He may be defensive or relieved to talk about what might be going on.
Defensive or relieved there are steps you need to take to prepare for what is in the future. And if it is nothing it is a starting point for discussion as to what either of you want as far as all the “what if’s” in life.
Then set your priorities. Do the things you have wanted to do while you can. Do this no matter what happens. We wait and put off until later the things we want to do....what happens if there is no later?
Your profile says you are caring for your Mother. Are you also caring for your husband? Does he have other problems. Often a book is a way to not really engage with others, just to be at peace and thinking, dreaming, if there are no other symptoms. People seldom interrupt people with open books.
You would not have posted unless you were concerned. Are you noticing other changes in your Dh's behaviour?
It is worth mentioning to his doctor, perhaps you can send a note in, so the Doctor can assess things on his next visit.
The losing ability to read can have significant impacts on your husband's life as well as your own. Can he read the instructions on prepared food packaging? Can he read the labels on medication bottles?
What is causing the reading issues, has he lost the ability to process the words? Is it related to vision?
Perhaps he chose a book he had read before to try to use his memory of the story to fill in the bits he cannot read.