10 Early Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Early symptoms can be subtle, and they may differ depending on the type of dementia. One symptom alone does not mean someone has dementia, but persistent changes that interfere with everyday life deserve medical evaluation.
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CDC
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Memory loss that disrupts daily life — repeatedly forgetting recently learned information, important events, or asking the same questions again and again.
Difficulty planning or solving problems — trouble managing bills, following a familiar recipe, or handling tasks that once seemed routine.
Problems completing familiar tasks — difficulty driving a familiar route, using familiar appliances, or carrying out ordinary daily activities.
Confusion about time or place — losing track of dates, seasons, where they are, or how they got somewhere.
Problems with visual or spatial awareness — difficulty judging distance, recognizing objects, reading, or navigating familiar surroundings.
New language problems — struggling to find familiar words, follow conversations, or repeatedly using the wrong words.
Frequently misplacing things — putting objects in unusual places and being unable to retrace their steps to find them.
Poorer judgment — unusual financial decisions, reduced attention to personal care, or other decisions that are clearly out of character.
Withdrawal from social activities — losing interest in hobbies, work, conversations, or activities they previously enjoyed.
Significant mood or personality changes — becoming unusually anxious, suspicious, fearful, irritable, depressed, or socially inappropriate.
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Alzheimer’s Association
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What’s the difference from normal aging?
Occasionally forgetting a name, misplacing your keys, or needing extra time to remember something can happen with normal aging. The bigger concern is a persistent decline that interferes with everyday independence.
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CDC
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If you or someone close to you is experiencing these changes, make an appointment with a doctor rather than trying to self-diagnose. Some causes of memory and thinking problems may be treatable, and earlier evaluation can help identify the cause and available treatment options.
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alzpa.org
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