Dad's Almost Totally Impossible to Communicate With - Help Needed

Welcome. There could be a number of reasons for his behavior. My mom has no sense of time. He may have read the text, thought he would get back with you later and been completely unaware of how long it had been since you sent the message. He may have forgotten about the message. It could be some technology is becoming confusing. A lack of empathy is also common with dementia. He may not be able to care/understand that he is causing you stress. Some pwd struggle with social norms. This could mean saying inappropriate things in public, but in a simpler way he may not understand what a reasonable(or socially acceptable) amount of time is for returning texts. I would just stick to phone calls or in person discussions if it’s important (forget about emails and text messages).

While mom lived in ILF, I would txt her EVERY morning at 7:30A, with suggestions as to what activities she may want to go downstairs & participate in. I have her messages set up her with "Read receipt " In the past 6-9 months or so, it indicates she reads my txt in the late afternoon. More recently, she stopped eading them. On my visits, I will see my txt still in her inbox, unread, DAYS later. I gave up! Her newest issue is that she seems to have forgotten how to answer the phone when it rings. I can view her on the camera. Phone ringing, while in hand. No respons3 & no call back.😢

I am late to this thread but just wanted to say that you have been given good advice, and I wish you well. This is a hard journey.

Over time (a few years) my dad gradually lost abilities to communicate via tech. He used to email me a lot, but that slowed down and eventually stopped. He lost the ability to use his computer at all—which was just as well because it reduced the likelihood of his being scammed. Then phone use became harder. He is in MC now, with no phone at all; he no longer misses it and rarely mentions calling anyone. Sometimes when I am visiting we call a relative using my phone, but his interest in that is slowing down too. I am grateful that face-to-face interaction still seems to bring him some pleasure.

This disease is relentless. People here are great: very knowledgable and compassionate. Come back when you want. (Don’t worry about response times: that varies a lot—from quickly to not at all—and it’s all OK.)