Caring for the Elderly

My husb, 79, was diagnosed with early dementia about 1 1/2 yrs ago. It has progressed, slowly. Some days are better than others. He also suffers with myleodysplasia, COPD, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obseity. More recently he had colon cancer which through surgery seems eradicated. His right eye vision is nominal. I do not allow him to drive--a "sore point" between us until I told him, "OK. You can drive to --- and back, but I am NOT going with you because I fear for my life." Interestingly, he decided not to drive there...and his second request to drive also brought the same result. My biggest concern now is that he does SO LITTLE! He sits and watches TV, eats, and sleeps. I realize that the leukemia makes him sleepy, but his blood work is holding its own now, and the doc said that this is good. I try to get my husb to get out and go for a drive with me, or to walk a little further in the house, insisting he "get his own" food, etc. He is clever enough to wait until I stand up, and then asks if I couldn't "bring me back a cup of coffee," or whatever. This is wearing me out!! He used to share tasks, even simple things like doing the dishes one night a week....can I do anything about this??

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