Early Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore
Memory lapses happen to everyone, especially with aging, but persistent changes that interfere with everyday life deserve medical evaluation. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, and some causes of cognitive problems are treatable.
Possible early warning signs include:
- Repeatedly forgetting recently learned information or asking the same questions again and again.
- Difficulty planning or solving familiar problems, such as managing bills or following a familiar recipe.
- Trouble completing familiar tasks, including getting lost while driving a familiar route.
- Confusion about dates, places, or time.
- Increasing difficulty finding words or following conversations.
- Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
- Changes in judgment, personality, or social behavior that are noticeably different from the person’s usual behavior.
These signs don’t automatically mean dementia. Depression, sleep problems, medication effects, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, infections, and other medical conditions can cause similar symptoms.
If changes are progressive or affecting daily activities, arrange an appointment with a healthcare professional for assessment. Sudden confusion is different—it can be an emergency and requires prompt medical attention.
