My mom has been tested by two different doctors, taken the MoCA test twice (numbers dropping the second time). She lost her license per her doctor and the Easter Seals test and is furious, saying she can drive safely during the day. She forgets the names of her siblings, grandchildren, etc. She thinks there are people in her house having a party in the middle of the night, and that my sister and I sneak new clothes into her closet to get her to dress better. But she doesn't think she has dementia and pushes back, saying "All my friends forget things sometimes!" What should I say to her?
I don't have any real advice to offer, just sympathy from someone who gets it!
If she forgets family names or confuses people, ignore it or be reassuring. “That was Karen, your niece. She does look a little like Marsha.” If she keeps doing it, just ignore if you can. As long as she isn’t hurting herself or anyone else, what does it matter?