Hi Carolee,
I’m so glad you’re having the neuropsych testing, this will create a baseline so that it can be repeated in 5-10 years to compare/contrast your progress. Unfortunately, MCI (minimal cognitive impairment) does progress to the long road of dementia, BUT you can start right now to get into coping habits which will keep you organized and functional.
It’s vital to start now and to become a dedicated keeper of your calendar. I like a Monthly calendar book, where I can see a whole month at one time. I write in all appointments, all tasks to be done, I use different color highlighters for MD appts, tradespeople, get-together with friends/family, grocery pick-up, etc. The book sits on the kitchen counter so I see it immediately when coming out for morning coffee. I have a roomy purse so I can take it to all appointments and immediately write in the next appointment made.
Now, before bedtime, I write a reminder note of the day’s appointments/tasks and tape it to the microwave where I see it when I go to make my morning coffee. Anything I need to take with me the next day (library books, etc), I hang on a doorknob of the back door I’ll be going out of. Any shopping/errand list I tape to the doorknob so I can’t leave without seeing and taking it, then I tape it to the dashboard of my car.
I bought a calendar clock from Amazon which has the time, the time “area” (morning/afternoon/evening), the day of the week, the date (month, day, year). It’s a surprisingly helpful way to stay oriented, especially in winter when you take a nap, wake up, your watch says 6:30 and you’re suddenly not sure if you slept overnight or it’s time for dinner!
As others have mentioned, it works really well and is comforting to do things on the same regular daily schedule. I use a pillbox to be sure I take my meds. I drive and do errands during the week and during regular working hours, so stores and the roads are less crowded.
You will be fine and I wish you all the best.