Disease progression or something else?

It has been rather disconcerting that since Monday, Rick has just about stopped feeding himself. Alicia told me that she had to feed him his entire meal as well as his ice cream. In the past if he didn't do well with his meal, he always ate his ice cream without difficulty.

I have had to help him with most of his meals since then. He will take a bite or two and then forget what he was doing. Or he will get something on his fork or spoon and keep trying to get more on it. Then he will put it on the table instead of his mouth. Then he just about falls asleep while sitting there.

Today has been the most obvious for me. He didn't go into the center today because it was closed for the Christmas holidays. So he has been here. He has slept most of the morning. Now it is time for lunch. I fixed him something to eat and set him at the small desk in my office. I can't just let him eat. I have to watch his every move and feed him most of it. It is like he forgets that he needs to put his fork in his mouth. And sometimes I think he forgets to chew what is already in his mouth.

I don't know if this is due to a progression of his Alzheimer's or if maybe he has an infection or something that is causing the symptoms to exacerbate. He was just checked thoroughly at the hospital the first of November and now he has an appointment with the VA clinic next Thursday. I plan to ask them to do a thorough exam again then.

I sure hope this isn't going to be a continuous things.