Recognizing the early signs of dementia goes beyond typical forgetfulness, like occasionally misplacing keys. When cognitive changes begin to interfere with daily life, work, or social activities, it’s important to pay attention.
Here are 10 early warning signs of dementia that should never be ignored:
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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 information. While older adults may occasionally forget names or appointments, they usually remember them later.
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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. People may take much longer to do things than they did before.
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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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Confusion with Time or Place
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What it looks like: Losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. Someone with dementia may forget where they are or how they got there, or struggle to understand something if it isn’t happening immediately.
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Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
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What it looks like: Difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast, which can lead to issues with balance or driving.
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New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
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What it looks like: Stopping in the middle of a conversation with no idea how to continue, or repeating themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a watch a “hand-clock”), or search for words.
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Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
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What it looks like: Putting items in unusual places (e.g., putting an iron in the refrigerator or car keys in the sugar bowl). They may accuse others of stealing because they cannot retrace their steps to find the item.
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Decreased or Poor Judgment
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What it looks like: Experiencing changes in decision-making, such as falling victim to phone scams, giving large amounts of money away, or paying less attention to personal grooming and hygiene.
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Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
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What it looks like: Pulling away from hobbies, social projects, work, or sports. They may stop keeping up with a favorite sports team or avoid social gatherings because they feel overwhelmed or confused.
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Changes in Mood and Personality
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What it looks like: Becoming easily confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may get upset easily at home, with friends, or when out of their comfort zone.
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When to see a doctor: Everyone experiences occasional lapses in memory or focus, but if these signs are persistent, worsening, or impacting daily independence, it is crucial to schedule an evaluation with a physician. Many conditions—including vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, and medication side effects—can mimic dementia and are fully treatable.
