These Are the Early Dementia Signs That Are Missed the Most Often, According to Neurologists
There are twice as many centenarians (people 100 years old or older) in the U.S. than there were 20 years ago, according to the Population Division of the United Nations. Exciting, right? If you want to live into the triple digits, having a healthy body and mind are likely at the top of your health goals.
According to a 2023 Alzheimer’s Association report, more than six million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. It can be tricky to pick up on the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s because they can often be mistaken as just part of getting older. On the other hand, you could be fretting over things you think are symptoms of dementia, but actually aren’t. Here, experts specializing in dementia explain how to know the difference between early signs of dementia and what’s considered a normal part of aging. Plus, find out the early dementia symptoms many miss.
Commonly Missed Early Dementia Signs, According to Neurologists
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Lynn Schaefer, PhD, ABPP-CN, says that the main early sign of dementia to be aware of is a change from one’s previous level of functioning. “Many signs of dementia are a question of degree,” she says. “It is normal to misplace your keys occasionally or forget where you parked; if you find them and then forget how to drive, that is obviously more concerning.”
Neurologist Dr. Nicole Purcell, DO, MS, who is the senior director of clinical practice at the Alzheimer’s Association, says that many people equate Alzheimer’s to memory loss, but signs many miss is that it can also involve changes in mood, trouble making decisions and altered judgment. She also echoes Dr. Schaefer, saying that changes in functioning are important to be aware of. “For example, you may see a family member struggling with day-to-day tasks they used to do easily, like making a familiar recipe or balancing the checkbook,” Dr. Purcell says.
Other early signs of dementia, according to Dr. Purcell, include getting lost mid-conversation and finding it hard to get back on track, misplacing items, not being able to retrace one’s steps and withdrawing from social activities one used to enjoy. Early signs of dementia can also include getting lost in familiar settings, new poor hygiene, being unable to complete simple tasks and forgetting major dates and consequential events, according to Dr. Schaefer.
Both Dr. Purcell and Dr. Schaefer say that early signs of dementia typically start after age 60, with incidences increasing as one ages. Rarely, someone may start experiencing these symptoms as early as their 40s, if they have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Normal Parts of Aging That Aren’t Signs of Dementia
Similar to how some people miss the early signs of dementia, sometimes, someone will self-diagnose themself (or a loved one) with dementia if they experience anything related to memory problems at all. PSA: It’s completely normal to forget things sometimes. Dr. Schaefer says that age-related changes that are often mistaken for symptoms of dementia include:
forgetting a new acquaintance's name
forgetting why you walked into a room
misplacing things but finding them later
taking longer to learn something new
taking longer to retrieve common words or names
finding it harder to pay attention to detail
finding it harder to multitask
Rest assured that if you forget the name of a new neighbor who just moved in or it took you 10 minutes to remember where you left your phone, it’s very likely just part of aging. Blips like that can happen to anyone.
Related: A Study of 12,000 People Found That Taking This One Supplement May Lower Dementia Risk by 40%
What To Do if You or a Loved One Has Signs of Dementia
Now that you know the difference between early signs of dementia and what’s considered a normal part of aging, it’s important to know what to do if you or a loved one is, in fact, showing early signs of dementia. If you have noticed these changes in yourself, Dr. Purcell says to see your primary healthcare provider. “Your primary care doctor will evaluate your overall health and identify any other conditions that could be affecting your cognition. Your physician may also perform a brief cognitive assessment,” Dr. Purcell says, of what to expect from the appointment.
Dr. Purcell says that these assessments can take many forms, including a physician asking about your cognitive concerns, directly observing your interactions, seeking input from family and friends, or using short verbal or written tests that can be administered easily in your physician’s office. “While these assessments do not provide a definitive diagnosis, they are a first step to determine if problems exist and more advanced testing is needed,” she says. “If cognitive decline is detected, your physician may order advanced testing or refer you to a specialist for a more definitive diagnosis.”
If you notice that a loved one is showing early signs of dementia, both experts say that it’s important to approach the topic gently. “If you’re worried about one of your parents, talk to your other parent, siblings, or anyone else your parents are close to and share your concerns,” Dr. Purcell says. “Ask if anyone else is noticing the same signs you are and remember that spouses often cover for one another. Discuss who is best to have the conversation. Ideally, choose someone your family member trusts and is likely to listen to.”
When it comes to what to say, Dr. Purcell says to be compassionate. “Start by sharing some of the things you’re seeing and asking if your loved one is also concerned. For example, ‘Mom, we were worried when you forgot to show up at your grandson’s birthday, and I’d like to talk to you about why that happened because it’s not like you,’” she says. “Focus on specifics, share them in a way you think your family member will be able to hear it, and let them know you’ve got their back.”
When it comes to dementia, the earlier one receives help, the better. And remember, there are always resources available to you and your loved ones. Ask your primary care provider to connect you to a support group or join one of the Alzheimer’s Association support groups. Leaning on each other is another part of aging, and it’s one everyone can benefit from.
Next up, here's what you need to know about the connection between magnesium deficiency and dementia risk.
Sources
Dr. Nicole Purcell, DO, MS, neurologist and senior director of clinical practice at the Alzheimer’s Association
Dr. Lynn Schaefer, PhD, ABPP-CN, clinical neuropsychologist