Playing right into that classic viral health headline style, spotting early signs of cognitive change can sometimes feel overwhelming, but distinguishing typical aging from something more serious is key.
While everyone occasionally forgets a name or misplaces their keys, persistent or worsening cognitive shifts should never be ignored. Here are 10 early signs of dementia that often serve as important red flags:
1. Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life
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What it looks like: Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, or events, and repeatedly asking for the same details.
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Versus Normal Aging: Occasionally forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
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What it looks like: Trouble following a familiar recipe, keeping track of monthly bills, or concentrating on tasks that used to be easy.
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Versus Normal Aging: Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
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What it looks like: Struggling to drive to a familiar location, manage a budget at work, or remember the rules of a favorite game.
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Versus Normal Aging: Needing help occasionally with settings on a microwave or recording a TV show.
4. Confusion with Time or Place
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What it looks like: Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. Someone might forget where they are or how they got there.
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Versus Normal Aging: Temporarily forgetting what day of the week it is, but figuring it out later.
5. Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
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What it looks like: Difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color or contrast, which can lead to issues with balance or driving.
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Versus Normal Aging: Vision changes strictly related to cataracts, presbyopia, or normal aging.
6. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
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What it looks like: Stopping mid-conversation with no idea how to continue, struggling to vocabulary, or calling things by the wrong names (e.g., calling a watch a “hand-clock”).
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Versus Normal Aging: Occasionally having trouble finding the exact right word.
7. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
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What it looks like: Putting items in unusual places (like putting a wallet in the refrigerator) and being unable to retrace steps to find them, sometimes accusing others of stealing.
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Versus Normal Aging: Misplacing keys or glasses temporarily, but being able to retrace your steps to find them.
8. Decreased or Poor Judgment
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What it looks like: Experiencing changes in decision-making, such as falling victim to online scams, giving away large amounts of money, or paying less attention to personal hygiene.
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Versus Normal Aging: Making a bad decision or mistake every once in a while, like putting off car maintenance.
9. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
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What it looks like: Pulling away from hobbies, social projects, sports, or work gatherings because of trouble keeping up with what is happening.
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Versus Normal Aging: Sometimes feeling weary of work, family, and social obligations.
10. Changes in Mood and Personality
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What it looks like: Becoming easily confused, suspicious, depressed, anxious, or fearful. People may get upset easily when out of their comfort zone.
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Versus Normal Aging: Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
Note: If you or a loved one are noticing several of these signs consistently impacting daily life, it is important to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional. Many symptoms can be caused by treatable conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, or medication side effects, making an early evaluation essential.
