She does like going to church on Sundays but that's about it. Should I force her to get out of the house at other times. Every now and then I can get her to go out to a restaurant with me. She doesn't talk much at all so I'm kind of alone but yet she is out of the house. Thanks
I think there are two things at work with my mother, who is 87 with spinal stenosis, diabetes, and dementia. She feels weak, so it is easier not to do anything. And she is not as mentally competent as she once was, so she avoids socializing. Other people are understanding and don't pay any mind to her lapses, but my mother probably feels awkward trying to act normal. She has a feeling now that people don't really want to be around her anymore, that they do it out of sympathy or obligation. Much of it, of course, is that she isn't making herself available to them because of the difficulty now.
My Mom rarely goes out now because she can hardly hear even with a hearing aid, and her eyesight is so very poor that she can barely see in front of her. But she and Dad will do yard work to get out of their house and get some fresh air.
I think that she still gets out to go to church weekly is good. Is there some other church activity she might consider, on an additional day of the week?
An occasional trip to a restaurant sounds nice, even if she is not very communicative. Offering to take her out is good. Forcing her is probably not.
Do you think she might be depressed? That is treatable. But it may be just a part of her progressing dementia. It is worth discussing with her doctor.