Doctor assessment for severe dementia and a MMSE score of 2....what's next?

Oskigirl--Thanks; yes, my father WAS a wonderful and well-liked man whom I lost almost 4 years ago a few months past his 90th birthday.

Moecam--I enjoyed your story about the person who had it sufficiently together to explain WHY she didn't know the date. When giving these tests, I wonder if the scoring distinguish between those who have no idea and those who answer "I'm not quite sure whether today is January 20 or 21 (2018)", the latter being something that could happen to anyone, especially one who doesn't have any appointments or events scheduled.

My mom scored low on her first test - I happen to be coming for a visit so needed to sit outside in hall well it was being given - when I saw the clock she drew that was when I knew how bad the dementia was - my artist mother couldn't make anything close to a circle & only could write 1, 2 & 3 then squiggles to point they wondered if it was short hand

I knew she had problems but she did so poorly that there is another test they do especially for people with higher education & they said that even as she was a university graduate, she wouldn't be tested further as she did so poorly

She was diagnosed as severe dementia where before test I thought it was mild - I often have been glad that I sat outside & heard her answers as well as saw her 'written' work also because I know how gentle the tester was, how she answered & how she couldn't really answer simple questions -

This made my future actions done with much more surety & confidence - mom had hidden her inability from all but my dad who was in major denial but those tests showed how little she was able to understand - FYI this was about time I invoked her P.O.A. to be able to assist her in the choices she could no longer make herself

Mini Mental State Examination
Questions;
5 points
“What is the year? Season? Date? Day? Month?”
5 points
“Where are we now? State? County? Town/city? Hospital? Floor?”
3 points
The examiner names three unrelated objects clearly and slowly, then the instructor asks the patient to name all three of them. The patient’s response is used for scoring. The examiner repeats them until patient learns all of them, if possible.
5 points
“I would like you to count backward from 100 by sevens.” (93, 86, 79, 72, 65, ...)
Alternative: “Spell WORLD backwards.” (D-L-R-O-W)
3 points
“Earlier I told you the names of three things. Can you tell me what those were?”
2 points
Show the patient two simple objects, such as a wristwatch and a pencil, and ask the patient to name them.
1 point
“Repeat the phrase: ‘No ifs, ands, or buts.’”
3 points
“Take the paper in your right hand, fold it in half, and put it on the floor.” (The examiner gives the patient a piece of blank paper.)
1 point
“Please read this and do what it says.” (Written instruction is “Close your eyes.”)
1 point
“Make up and write a sentence about anything.” (This sentence must contain a noun and a verb.)
1point
“Please copy this picture.” (The examiner gives the patient a blank piece of paper and asks him/her to draw the symbol below. All 10 angles must be present and two must intersect.)
30 TOTAL

Score
25-30-Questionably significant
If clinical signs of cognitive impairment are present, formal assessment of cognition may be valuable.
May have clinically significant but mild deficits. Likely to affect only most demanding activities of daily living.

20-25-Mild
Formal assessment may be helpful to better determine pattern and extent of deficits.
Significant effect. May require some supervision, support and assistance.

10-20-Moderate
Formal assessment may be helpful if there are specific clinical indications.
Clear impairment. May require 24-hour supervision.

0-10-Severe
Patient not likely to be testable.
Marked impairment. Likely to require 24-hour supervision and assistance with ADL.

Source:
• Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR: “Mini-mental state: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician.” J Psychiatr Res 1975;12:189-198.

The 0-10 "Severe" does not seem to "fit" your mother's abilities. I'm not too sure if you should place a lot of faith in just this test.
Shute, I can't count backwards by 7's (without fingers ha ha) and would need to write the word out to be able to spell it backwards. My brain just doesn't run in "backwards" mode, I guess.)
Funny thing, I can write backwards in cursive. example: .llew stset ekat t'nod I
(I don't take tests well.) Go figure? YOU are the best prediction of what her abilities are. She can be better tested by a geriatric neurologist.