Symptoms can differ significantly among individuals. Below are some key signs to look out for.
You’re running late because you can’t find your keys. They are buried in your bag. You forget what it was when you go to the living room to get something important.
At the grocery store, someone you know comes up to you, but you can’t remember her name. Forgetting things can happen at any age, and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) says these memory lapses may occur more often as we get older. However, these memory issues can make seniors anxious, as they wonder if it’s aging or something more serious.
John Dickson, M.D., a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, says it’s important not to panic over every small memory change. Still, many people do worry. A 2019 National Poll on Healthy Aging found that nearly half of people aged 50 to 64 fear getting dementia.
A 2021 AARP survey showed that almost half of adults over 40 think they might develop dementia. In reality, about one in nine Americans aged 65 and older is diagnosed with dementia, according to the CDC. While dementia isn’t inevitable, it’s important to know its warning signs so you or someone you care about can get help if needed, says Dickson.
What exactly is dementia?
It refers to a broad category of conditions characterized by a decrease in cognitive function that disrupts everyday activities. This decline can affect various abilities, including concentration, communication, reasoning, and visual interpretation.
Additionally, dementia may impair emotional regulation and can result in alterations to one’s personality. The World Health Organization estimates that over 55 million individuals around the globe are living with dementia.
10 warning signs of dementia
1. Memory impairment in the short term can manifest in various ways. Forgetting an actor’s name from a movie you watched with friends just yesterday is one thing, but completely forgetting that you even attended the movie with them is quite another.
Such significant memory gaps, particularly regarding recent experiences, raise alarms, according to Dr. Judith Heidebrink, a neurologist and clinical professor at the University of Michigan Health.
Dickson notes that short-term memory loss is often associated with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most prevalent form of dementia. This occurs because the hippocampus, the brain region responsible for forming short-term memories, is impacted early on in the progression of the disease.
2. Difficulty finding words. Many of us have had those moments when we struggle to recall a specific word, even though it feels just out of reach. According to Dr. Heather Whitson, a professor at Duke University School of Medicine and the director of the Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, this can be a normal occurrence.
However, if you frequently notice someone replacing words that are inappropriate for the context, it could be a cause for concern. For instance, Whitson points out that someone may intend to inquire, Have you seen my jacket? However, if they struggle to recall the word jacket, they might instead ask, Have you seen my shirt?
Additionally, Heidebrink notes that challenges in starting, participating in, or finishing conversations can serve as early indicators of communication difficulties.
3. Struggling with multitasking. If you’re accustomed to flawlessly organizing a Thanksgiving dinner, but now you notice that essential side dishes are absent, the rolls are charred, and dinner is postponed by two hours, it may indicate a deeper issue.
When things don’t seem to be coming together smoothly or require significantly more effort than usual, this could suggest problems with executive functioning, according to Whitson.
4. Repetition. According to Whitson, a warning sign arises when someone is informed by their loved ones that they are asking the same questions or recounting the same stories multiple times in quick succession, seemingly unaware that they have already done so or received an answer to their inquiry.
5. Changes in personality. A noticeable and consistent disinterest in family, friendships, work, and social gatherings can serve as an early indicator of dementia. Individuals may find themselves feeling uneasy in social settings, struggling to engage in conversations or recall them afterward, which can lead to their withdrawal from these interactions, as noted by Heidebrink.
Research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2023 suggests that apathy might indicate a transition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI)—characterized by memory loss or cognitive difficulties that are less severe than dementia—to Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, exhibiting heightened anxiety, confusion, fearfulness, or distrust could also point towards dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
6. Changes in sleep patterns. Whitson notes that while sleep problems are frequently encountered by older adults, certain behaviors like sleepwalking are not typical for aging.
It’s crucial to recognize that specific forms of dementia can lead to changes in sleep behavior, such as enacting dreams or talking during sleep—behaviors that the individual did not exhibit previously, according to Whitson.
7. Deteriorating navigation skills. According to Dickson, individuals with dementia may experience alterations in their sense of direction, which can lead to challenges such as trouble driving and becoming disoriented in places they once knew well. Heidebrink notes that this may also stem from a decline in confidence.
As a result, many people begin to limit their driving to well-known, nearby locations—opting for routes with minimal traffic or only venturing out during favorable weather conditions.
8. Depression. The emergence of depression later in life can signal potential dementia, according to Dickson. The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly 40% of individuals with Alzheimer’s experience severe depression.
This condition may not only indicate the presence of dementia but could also serve as an early warning sign. A study released in JAMA Neurology in 2023 revealed that adults who had been diagnosed with depression faced more than double the risk of developing dementia.
9. Disorientation regarding time and location can be concerning. If an individual is unable to recall their current surroundings or how they arrived there, it raises alarms.
Additionally, frequent confusion about the day of the week is another troubling indicator, according to Jason Karlawish, M.D., a neurologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, who also serves as codirector of the Penn Memory Center.
10. Struggles with visual or perceptual activities can be concerning. For instance, stumbling over an object due to not noticing it or having trouble interpreting the time on a clock might signal dementia, according to Heidebrink.
The Alzheimer’s Association also notes that issues with balance, challenges in reading, and difficulties in assessing distances or recognizing colors and contrasts can serve as early warning signs.
Steps to take if you observe symptoms
Health experts emphasize the importance of contacting a doctor if you or someone close to you has experienced changes in thinking or memory.
According to Heidebrink, these alterations can stem from various factors, and not every instance indicates Alzheimer’s disease. Other potential explanations might include side effects from medications, hormonal imbalances, or other treatable conditions. If dementia is the cause, receiving an early diagnosis can be advantageous.
There are recently approved treatments that may help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and studies indicate that these medications are most effective when administered in the early stages.
Additionally, an early diagnosis opens up access to a broader range of clinical trials, as noted by the Alzheimer’s Association. You can begin this process by consulting your primary care physician, who may then refer you to a specialist such as a neurologist or geriatric psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation and accurate diagnosis.