Living with someone who functions relatively well with MCI

You brought up some good points about driving with MCI. I'm 70 and was diagnosed a little over a year ago. I attended Mayo's HABIT program for two weeks last August. I am aware that everyone's progression is different. I, too, wear hearing aids because I have a tumor in my vestibular system. Even before my MCI diagnosis, I've had a problem hearing consonants and tend to say whatever I think I hear. My husband often reacted like I was nuts and that really hurt my feelings because I was simply stating what I heard. It was and is a HEARING problem. NOT a cognitive problem. Eventually, my husband has learned to have more patience and sometimes we just laugh about what I think I heard. I still drive, but I have difficulty when it snows or rains because of my vestibular disorder -- not because of MCI. My reaction time is still in tact and I would be the first one to notice and be mortified if I mixed up the gas and brake pedals. I would proactively take one of the driving fitness tests. (I already took one offered by AARP a couple of years ago.). Every day I wake up wondering if my MCI will progress by leaps and bounds. Not everyone with MCI moves into Dementia or Alzheimer. I'm currently stable, but I work hard to do all of the things that will help me stay stable. Self awareness is critical. If you are in the Mayo system, you both might benefit from attending the HABIT program. The person with MCI must attend with their spouse or a partner. It helps couples understand MCI and develop coping strategies and habits they can implement to help deal with what the future may hold. MCI is scary, but fighting with each other about something you both may not understand is also scary. Some of the people in my class are doing very well -- mostly those that have picked up the habits and do them as prescribed. Those that don't follow the habits aren't doing as well. Partners need to hold each other accountable. Your husband sounds like he is a proud person who is used to being in charge. Aren't we all that person to some degree or another? An MCI diagnosis is difficult for the person and their spouse. Being hard of hearing is an added difficulty. But, level-setting what's going on and taking steps to potentially make it better (or more tolerable) would probably benefit you both. These are just some thoughts. Hoping you both can manage to find common ground and a way forward that is good for you both.

Please check with your insurance to make sure your LO is still covered.
My hubby actually has AD (no longer MCI) and we have an agreement. Since he is still a very good driver (better than me & most), he is - resistant is not nearly strong enough a word - to relinquishing his drivers license. So, we agreed that he will do the driving simulation at Stanford once a quarter, and as long as he scores well, I'll back off. This tests his peripheral vision, reaction time, judgement, etc. It's different each time. Secretly, I have another milestone I have not shared with him. When he can no longer draw the clock on the annual cognitive check-up, then we start talking about alternatives. I read somewhere that, while it doesn't have anything to do with driving directly, the cognitive ability to draw the clock is correlated. Until these gate are passed, I lay off the "nagging" about his driving.
When he loses his ability to drive, my life becomes infinitely more difficult since I still work full time. I'm not old enough to retire... So I'm watching this very closely.

@cyds thanks for your golden nugget about the clock and its correlation. I'm in the same boat with my husband.

@dbamos1945
I found your comments spot on. Our son was hearing impaired since he was born. Now my husband is and also Dx with MCI. I have used the checklist for years (when son was growing up) and it is helpful. I also take pictures of specific items to purchase if my husband goes to the grocery store and I want/need something specific. My husband was fitted for hearing aids but refuses to wear them so it is a roll of the dice as to if he will cooperate. That’s him. Still everything you wrote, in my opinion, is spot on as a way to dealing with some things.
I tried to do the 'what are your plans today or my plans for the day 'but my husband will not cooperate as a rule. I have to roll with it. He told me he thinks I’m trying to control him. Actually, I’m looking for a time when perhaps we could do something fun together and sometimes I do want to ask if he will help me.

Thanks for offering up your good suggestions. They may help others. They have worked in our home.