My mother has never been much for strong routines like I am, and I feel like this is making the Alzheimer's challenge a little more challenging. Lately we've been having a little bit of friction on the subject of getting up and dressed every day. She really hates the winter and the cold, and would really just as soon stay in bed reading all day. She understands that she should not do this because it causes issues for her, primarily constipation if she isn't up and moving about. So she does get up and about within her house, but is inclined to stay in her bathrobe and pajamas all day if she isn't going anywhere. I've been pushing her to get dressed because this is what heathy adults do (at least most of the time), and I feel that the more these healthy routines/ADLs are "muscle memory" for her, the longer she will retain these abilities. She keeps her house at a toasty 78 degrees, and the house is well-insulated and very warm.
I would like some input as to whether it is appropriate to urge her to get dressed each day, or if I am just being needlessly annoying to my poor confused old mother.
She is still early AD, and it is possible to have reasonable conversations with her. She still lives alone, and it is in the best interests of my mother and those of us who love her to keep her as independent as possible for as long as possible.