In order to figure out if he has had a good day (and therefore if I might have a good evening), I've begun asking him what my name is, what my daughter's name is and what his name is. It's been a fairly good gauge thus far.
Saturday my daughter was Susan; Sunday I was Susan and she was Sissy. Last night, we both were Susan. I asked him his name and for the first time, he said George! Now, understand - we have no immediate relatives named any of these names, nor friends with these names! I don't have the slightest idea where he came up with them. It also means that these evenings he has gone to bed at 8 p.m. instead of staying up until 9 as he usually does. Until this week, he has been getting the names right 90% of the time.
Mary, as long as he is not upset by the questioning, I think it is okay. But, if he starts to get upset, I would discontinue the practice. I can remember asking my husband a question once...something easy...like one of the cat's name...he looked at me and with fire in his eyes said "Why do you ask?...Do you think I am stupid?" Didn't question him any more...it put pressure on him that he didn't need.
My husband's symptoms can fluctuate so much, I don't think it would make much sense to try to see where he is at any given point in time. But still, I don't think I'd try that kind of question. I really don't like being "tested" myself -- asked "do you know such-and-such?" -- and so I assume he would feel the same way. Besides, I can get a pretty good feel for how he's doing from the questions HE asks ME (and how often he asks the same one.)
If your husband doesn't mind, well, what the hey.
But I do find it funny that he's using names that aren't associated with your family or friends.
One of the neuropsych tests that they do as part of the longitudinal study at the ADRC in which we're enrolled is to ask the patient to list first names -- any names he/she can think of, in a set amount of time. Some patients list primarily men's, some primarily women, and some pretty much half and half. I don't remember what the test is supposed to do, although I think they told me that the pattern does not change as the AD gets worse.
Anyway, the first name my husband came up with was Isobel. Every other name he listed was clearly family or one of our employees. When time ran out, I asked who Isobel was. He blushed and said he didn't know. I teased him that we were going to get to the bottom of this when we got home, and he just grinned.
Still don't know who Isobel is ... but I'll REALLY start to wonder if he ever calls me by that name! :-)
Not change the topic - but this almost goes along with the discussion "be careful what you wish for" because I do know who the name belongs to that my husband calls me. He was in a very painful marriage for 20 years which ended about 25 years ago. The exwife lives in our city and we see her occassionally at granchildrens' functions, etc. I noticed prior to any diagnosis that when my husband was upset or overly stressed /pressured, he called me his x wife's name. I just say, "Wrong name, try again honey."
Uh-oh. Something new to worry about. I try to be as understanding as possible, but if my husband were to start calling me by his ex's name ... oooooo. I'd tell you about her, but Joan doesn't allow language like that.