Signs, Stages & Diagnosis

Early signs, types of dementia, and what each stage looks like.

The Surprising Early Warning Sign of Dementia That Shows Up Before Memory Loss

Before memory loss or confusion, many families notice something else first: financial changes. Missed bills, unusual purchases, falling for scams. Research now shows these can be early warning signs of dementia, appearing years before a diagnosis. Dr. Natali explains why the brain struggles with money first and what you can do about it.

Read the article

Why Dementia Looks So Different for Every Family

Why does dementia look so different from one family to the next? This article breaks down what the 2025 NIH research finally helps explain about dementia risk, brain changes, and caregiving experiences, and why unpredictability is not a failure but part of the disease itself.

Read the article

Early Warning Signs of Dementia Families Often Miss at First

Many early signs of dementia do not look like memory loss. In this article, Dr. Natali Edmonds shares real caregiver experiences and the subtle changes families often wish they had not ignored, along with guidance on what to do if something feels off.

Read the article

Can Facial Changes Be an Early Sign of Dementia? What the Research Shows

Your loved one opens the gift and barely smiles. Dementia changes how the brain moves the face, so what you see on the outside may not match what they're feeling on the inside.

Read the article

How Dementia Changes the Five Senses: What Caregivers Need to Know

Sugar poured on pasta. A hot cup held without noticing the burn. A shirt that suddenly feels unbearable. Dementia can leave the senses working while the brain misreads what they take in.

Read the article

Understanding the Stages of Dementia: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know

Wondering how much time your loved one has? A stage can't answer that. Two people with the same diagnosis and the same age can move through dementia at very different speeds.

Read the article

What Caregivers Wish They Knew About the Dementia Diagnosis Process

Getting a dementia diagnosis isn’t straightforward. Learn why the process is often delayed, what tests are involved, and how to advocate for your loved one with confidence.

Read the article

Mixed Dementia: The Hidden Diagnosis Doctors Often Miss (and Why It Matters)

Most people are diagnosed with one type of dementia. But having two at once is common and probably underdiagnosed. Sometimes it shows up at the first evaluation, sometimes only at a follow-up.

Read the article

The 5 Most Common Types of Dementia: What Caregivers Need to Know

Most families never get told which type of dementia their loved one has. That's common. Knowing the five main types can still show you what to expect as things become clearer.

Read the article

Is Smell Loss an Early Warning Sign of Dementia? What You Need to Know

Linda's dad couldn't smell his morning coffee, and he was a little more forgetful than usual. His doctor found early Alzheimer's. Smell loss alone doesn't mean dementia, but paired with other changes, it's worth checking.

Read the article

Unexplained Generosity: A Silent Warning Sign of Dementia

What is Unexplained Generosity? Careblazer, did you know that a sudden urge to give away money might actually be an early sign of dementia? What may seem like generosity can, in reality, put your loved one’s finances, and yours, at risk. If you’ve noticed unusual donation patterns, excessive giving, or impulsive financial decisions, it might […]

Read the article

CTE and Dementia

A concussion can heal. Repeated hits to the head are different. Years later they can lead to CTE, and one of its two types is the one most likely to become dementia.

Read the article

Shorter searches work best. Try one of these words on its own:

    Or browse by topic:

      Get the Dementia Dose, a free email every Thursday.

      One short email a week from Dr. Natali, about the parts of caregiving no one prepares you for.

        Free. Unsubscribe anytime, in one click.

        Skip to content