Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”

My friend is 70. Flew in to do some business and I volunteered to pick him up at the airport. I was in the "Cell phone lot" waiting and waiting. He texted me that "We have landed". He texted me "Am behind 120 other people getting off this plane". Then he texted me "At baggage claim". Then nothing else until he texted TWENTY minutes later: "Have I missed you?".

The weird thing is when I got this text and went get him: found him standing at the curb outside "Arrivals". I asked him: "Why did you text and tell me you were at baggage claim"? He said: "This IS baggage claim". I said: "No, baggage claim is INSIDE and this is passenger pickup at the curb". He just said: "No big deal...!" I had sat there for 15-20 extra minutes waiting.....so I thought it very odd he would not have texted me "Am outside at the curb...".

He has also begun to fixate so MUCH on a task that he forgets other important things going on during the moment....it is as if he is unable to multi-task any longer and if interrupted he gets angry. This has been going on for more than a year.

He has been doing odd things like this for about two years. His father had dementia by age 72; do you think he has something going on? Anyone else ever have this experience?

That is a great thing to remember. Thank you. I worry about the future a lot too.

Thank you to all who have posted. My husband, 80 years old, has MCI. Diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. So far his abilities are pretty stable
but his ability to process requests seems to be getter worse. I have over time changed my expectations such as not asking him to do anything related to budget, bills, financial issues. I would appreciate any tips you all have regarding adapting to verbal difficulties, checking on his welfare etc. I try not to be too afraid for the future but am still sad, as you all are, about the changes in my darling active capable husband.

@joemurphy43 Joe, in evaluating your question, my husband isn't on donanemab but lequembe. He's in his 18th infusion - a treatment of 36 infusion. There's an article from mindthegulf.com that compares Lecanemap vs. Donanemab, I thought was helpful. Made me question, why our neurologist suggested one over the other. That's worth asking which I'm sure you've done.
I tried copying the link with no success. What I can tell you about the consideration of doing any infusion therapy, my husband and I didn't see any other way. He was hopeful it would slow down the progression of his early diagnosed MCI and still is. He's had no side effects. Not that this is a deciding factor, but the infusion therapy in South Florida is packed with people both men and women from 60-90 years old. Although these general comments may not provide the statistics we look for, it does validate the hope that comes from slowing down this awful progressive disease. Best, Karla

@tuckerliko Likewise. The changes. . . I never dreamed this would happen. Lonely as he is “gone” a lot. It’s often like I am just one person here.

@joycel10 My husband just made that same decision this past Friday at the Neurologist’s office. All the tests seem to point to it being a good idea, to help slow the memory loss. He will be starting Lequembi as soon as insurance is sorted out, which hopefully will not take long. Best wishes to you!

My friend is 70. Flew in to do some business and I volunteered to pick him up at the airport. I was in the "Cell phone lot" waiting and waiting. He texted me that "We have landed". He texted me "Am behind 120 other people getting off this plane". Then he texted me "At baggage claim". Then nothing else until he texted TWENTY minutes later: "Have I missed you?".

The weird thing is when I got this text and went get him: found him standing at the curb outside "Arrivals". I asked him: "Why did you text and tell me you were at baggage claim"? He said: "This IS baggage claim". I said: "No, baggage claim is INSIDE and this is passenger pickup at the curb". He just said: "No big deal...!" I had sat there for 15-20 extra minutes waiting.....so I thought it very odd he would not have texted me "Am outside at the curb...".

He has also begun to fixate so MUCH on a task that he forgets other important things going on during the moment....it is as if he is unable to multi-task any longer and if interrupted he gets angry. This has been going on for more than a year.

He has been doing odd things like this for about two years. His father had dementia by age 72; do you think he has something going on? Anyone else ever have this experience?

@dederickve
It messes with my mind that I am terribly lonely with my husband by my side. Luckily we have a dog that I speak to all the time. If I speak to my husband and he doesn't answer, I turn to our dog for conversation and much-needed pets.
Some folks on this forum talk about seeking others to be with for physical touch, etc. I just can't imagine doing that while still married, but I totally understand the temptation for deeper connection.
Hugs all around folks. 🫂