Everyone forgets things from time to time. A name won’t come to you. You can’t recall a word you know.
That doesn’t mean you have dementia.
If you’re wondering whether it’s dementia or normal aging, these five categories can help you tell the difference. For each one, I’ll go through what normal aging looks like, what would be a sign for concern that you’d want to get checked out, and the key difference between the two.
1. Memory Loss: Normal Aging vs. Dementia
Normal aging: It’s completely okay to forget someone’s name from time to time. Or to forget an appointment, and then remember it later.
Potential dementia: Someone forgets important dates and appointments, forgets recently learned information, and asks for the same information again and again.
The key difference: In normal aging, someone might forget the details of a conversation they had. In potential dementia, they might forget they even had the conversation.
2. Problem Solving Abilities: When Should You Worry?
Normal aging: Every now and then, someone makes a mistake following a recipe or managing their finances.
Potential dementia: The person has significant struggles solving problems and planning. Following a recipe is hard. So is keeping track of the monthly bills. The level of impairment is significant. There’s a bigger level of struggle there.
The key difference: In normal aging, you might slow down a bit when you’re managing finances or following a recipe. In potential dementia, familiar tasks you’ve done your whole life start to feel like brand new challenges.
Trouble with bills can be one of the first changes families see, and I go into that in the early warning sign of dementia that shows up before memory loss.
3. Completing Familiar Tasks: What’s Normal?
Normal aging: Sometimes a person needs help completing complex tasks, or following along with new technology. Totally normal.
Potential dementia: Someone struggles to complete routine tasks at home, at work or with their hobbies. These are things they’ve done for a long time, and they’re starting to struggle with them.
The key difference: In normal aging, somebody might need some help setting up their new smartphone. In dementia, the person might need help just to start using a familiar appliance, like the microwave they’ve always used.
4. Confusion With Time and Place
Normal aging: It’s okay to get confused about the day of the week every now and then, and then remember it later.
Potential dementia: The person is losing track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. Sometimes they forget where they are, or how they got there.
The key difference: In normal aging, somebody might have to pause and think a little to remember the date. In potential dementia, somebody might forget what season it is, or even where they are.
That’s why, in a lot of brief screening tests, the doctor might ask, “Where are you right now?” or “What season is it?” That’s what they’re looking for.
5. Changes in Mood and Behavior
Normal aging: It’s normal for somebody to get irritable when there’s a disruption or a change in their regular routine.
Potential dementia: There are more significant mood swings. The person can become easily upset, suspicious or depressed, especially in an unfamiliar situation.
The key difference: We all have our off days, where we’re a little more irritable or not quite ourselves. In dementia, there can be dramatic mood swings that seem out of character for the person, and out of proportion to the situation they’re facing.
When to Get Memory Changes Checked Out
Careblazer, remember that these are just general guidelines. Everybody is unique, and symptoms are different. That’s why we always want a full evaluation whenever we start to have concerns.
Showing one of the signs in the potential dementia category doesn’t necessarily mean dementia. So many other health factors can cause some of these symptoms:
- Medication side effects
- Dehydration
- Infections
- Depression
- Poor hearing
- Low vitamin levels
All of these can look like dementia. That’s another reason a full evaluation is so important.
Even with normal brains, we’re still going to have our off days. We forget things. We lose track of the time. We forget an appointment. It’s nothing to be alarmed about.
What If the Symptom Isn’t on This List?
Look at how much that symptom is disrupting your life. The more it gets in the way of getting through your day, the more concerning it is. Definitely bring it up with your healthcare provider.
For the changes families notice at home, read early warning signs of dementia families often miss.
This post is more educational. If what you’re really wanting is community support, more personal attention, and a place to get feedback and guidance on your most difficult caregiving situations, that’s what the Care Collective is for. We have weekly expert Q&As, weekly support rooms, and a library of private trainings on everything from bathing and toileting to building a better relationship and feeling better yourself. You can learn more here.
