In our case, DH gets out any time he wants; he has 3 bikes to zoom around in. I'm the one who is stuck at home (with my furry boy). I am presently saving up to buy myself an electric 4-wheel scooter, so I can get out and about, but they are expensive and I'm almost there ...

It is hard to judge how someone is doing when you just have a short visit with them; some people didn't notice DH's issues at first either, but once you spend more time with him in the home, or they are tested -- then you see how much they can't recall. Plus, the tests show over time, what is lost.
It wasn't until people spent more time with DH that they started to notice that he couldn't remember simple tasks like measuring; and he can't recall people's names or where they live -- I'm talking about people he knew a long time (actually, he doesn't remember some of them at all). He can't recall phone numbers or addresses, but this has always been an issue for him; it just got worse. He can't even tell you who our Prime Minister is right now or the day of the week. So now he gets up and asks me what day it is and again several times throughout the day; becuz it bothered him that he couldn't recall that.
Yes, we all forget things as we get older, but what your Dad probably means is that he can't remember things that he used to be able to recall. That is the big difference -- DH used to know those things/people by name. Over time, if there is a steady or sudden decline; that is something that has to be taken seriously. It is a sign of a bigger problem.
You know, it is possible that it is your Father who wants to stay at home; maybe HE doesn't want to go out like he used to. Maybe HE is embarassed by his memory problem like my DH is -- he used to ask me not to tell people about it. Maybe the adopted DD thing is just an excuse THEY are using so they don't offend you when your Father doesn't want to go somewhere. I know many people who make up bogus excuses to get out of social situations they don't feel comfortable in anymore.
I hope things go better for them both; she must be worried about herself as well, with that family history. So, I will ^pray^ for them both.



