Can someone talk me through the future implications of a score of 18 for cognitive impairment?

[whatsinanumber]

DM, 84, was assessed by our local memory service last week. Just spoke to the doctor who says she has moderate cognitive impairment and a score of 18. It's consistent with a diagnosis of Parkinson's with Dementia (the Parkinson's was diagnosed almost a decade ago, which I understand is quite a common timeline). She has a lot of support: carers several times a day and I take care of all her life admin and live close by but she does live alone and I'd really like to get a sense of what the next few years will look like for DM. Would anyone be up for sharing their experiences? I've literally just got the result from the doctor so still processing and thinking about how to communicate all this to her.

Firstly, can I offer a virtual handhold?

Seeing your DM suffer with Parkinson's for so long and knowing that the decline in cognition was most likely to follow must be so, so hard for you.

I'm not sure what benefit explaining what your DM has been assessed as with her would be of much benefit. She may be upset when you give her the news, but is then most likely liable to forget the information but the feeling of upset may stay for some time.

What I would suggest though, if you haven't already, is talking this through with your DM's Parkinson' Nurse

Thanks very much for your kind post @ExplodingSmittens Talking it through with the Parkinson’s nurse is a good idea. The memory service seemed adamant that honesty is the best policy with DM. They talked about medication that might have a positive impact. But I’m a bit wary of telling her for the reasons you give