If you’re checking the claim behind that headline, these are 10 changes that can be early signs of dementia—especially when they’re persistent and interfere with everyday life:
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Memory loss — frequently forgetting recent conversations, events, or information.
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Repeating questions or stories without realizing it.
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Difficulty planning or solving problems — such as managing familiar bills or following a familiar recipe.
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Difficulty completing familiar tasks that were previously routine.
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Getting confused about time or place or becoming lost in a familiar area.
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Difficulty finding words or following conversations.
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Misplacing things unusually often and being unable to retrace where they were put.
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Poorer judgment — particularly new problems involving money, safety, or decisions.
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Withdrawing from hobbies or social activities because they are becoming difficult.
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Changes in personality, mood, or behavior that are unusual and persistent.
Important: these signs don’t prove dementia
Memory and thinking problems can also result from poor sleep, depression, medication side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, hearing or vision loss, infections, or other medical conditions. Some of these are treatable.
A particularly important distinction is sudden confusion. If confusion develops over hours or days rather than gradually, seek medical attention promptly—it may be delirium or another acute medical problem rather than dementia.
If you’re concerned about yourself or a family member, tell me the person’s age and which symptoms you’ve noticed, and I can help you understand what should be checked.
