Have you joked about your forgetfulness to hide your embarrassment or fear about losing your memory? If you’ve forgotten things one too many times, you may be wondering whether you have, or are developing, dementia.
Some early warning signs can help you determine whether to see a doctor to be diagnosed for dementia.
Dementia (known more formally as major neurocognitive disorder) is the loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning to the point where it interferes with daily activities and life, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
There are many types of dementia, but the most common form in people age 65 and older is Alzheimer’s disease, says Glen Finney, MD, a behavioral neurologist and fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.
The second most common form is vascular dementia, caused by conditions that affect blood vessels in the brain (like stroke), and the third is a brain disorder known as Parkinson’s disease dementia or Lewy body dementia, says Dr. Finney.
Although dementia is more common as people get older, it is not a normal part of aging, says the NIA, the leading federal funder of dementia research. In fact, many people live into their 90s and beyond without signs of dementia.
Memory loss is often an early symptom of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“The first noticeable sign of dementia is usually the loss of episodic memory,” says Nicole Purcell, DO, a neurologist and senior director of clinical practice for the Alzheimer’s Association. “For instance, a person may remember going on vacation but can’t remember where they stayed or what they did.”
Episodic memory involves remembering specific information about recent or past events or experiences, according to the UCSF Weil Institute for Neurosciences Memory and Aging Center. Other examples include remembering where you parked your car earlier in the day or where you went for dinner with a friend last week.
Early signs of dementia are not always limited to memory loss, though.
Although anyone can make a poor decision occasionally, people with dementia may experience more frequent changes in judgment or decision-making, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
For example, they may be unable to manage a budget or begin to neglect their hygiene or appearance more regularly.
As people age, they may become more set in their ways and upset when their normal routine is disrupted. Coping with stress can become more challenging with age, and depression in older adults is somewhat common.
People with dementia, however, are sometimes unable to control their emotions or may often become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
Many of us may need help learning a new technology or how to use a new appliance.
But people with dementia often find it hard to complete routine tasks they used to be able to do easily, such as driving to a familiar location or creating a grocery list, says the Alzheimer’s Association.
Although it’s not uncommon to sometimes search for the right word when communicating verbally or in writing, people with dementia have a harder time with language.
For instance, they may have trouble finding words for familiar things or call something by the wrong name, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Or they may frequently repeat themselves or lose track of a conversation.
