When Should You Talk to a Doctor?
Seeing one of these symptoms does not mean a person has dementia.
That distinction is extremely important.
Many conditions can produce memory or concentration problems, including poor sleep, depression, anxiety, medication side effects, alcohol use, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disorders, infections, hearing loss, and other neurological or medical conditions.
Some of these causes can be treated.
A healthcare professional can review the person's medical history, medications, symptoms, and changes in everyday functioning. Depending on the situation, they may perform cognitive testing, physical and neurological examinations, laboratory testing, or other evaluations.
It can also help to document specific examples.
Instead of simply saying, "Their memory is getting worse," family members can record what happened, when it happened, how often it occurs, and whether the problem is interfering with normal activities.
This information can make a medical evaluation much more useful.
Pay Attention to the Pattern, Not Just One Mistake
Perhaps the most important message is that everyone forgets things.
A forgotten name, misplaced key, missed appointment, or occasional lapse in concentration is not automatically a sign of dementia.
Doctors are more concerned when there is a pattern of decline that persists over time and begins interfering with independence.
The question is not simply: