6 Early Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore

Dementia affects brain function and becomes more common as people get older. While occasional forgetfulness can be part of normal aging, consistent changes in thinking, behavior, and memory may signal something more serious — especially if they begin to interfere with daily life. Recognizing the early signs can help families seek medical evaluation and support sooner rather than later.

Here are six early warning signs of dementia to watch for:

1. Trouble with Everyday Tasks

If a loved one finds it increasingly difficult to manage routine activities — like paying bills, following a recipe, concentrating, or completing tasks — this could be an early sign of cognitive decline. Longer time to perform familiar tasks or confusion while doing them is worth paying attention to.

2. Communication Problems

Dementia can affect language skills. A person may struggle to engage in conversations, lose their train of thought, or have difficulty finding the right words to express themselves. Conversations may become hard to follow or feel “off” to others.

3. Repeating Questions or Stories

Repeating the same questions or telling the same stories over and over is a common early sign of dementia. This pattern often arises from short-term memory loss and difficulty retaining new information.

4. Changes in Personality

People with early dementia may begin to act differently. Increased anxiety, confusion, fearfulness, mood swings, or a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed can all be red flags. These personality changes can occur gradually but noticeably.

5. Poor Judgement and Behavior Changes

Someone in the early stages of dementia may show poor judgment or changes in behavior — such as mishandling money, neglecting hygiene, or making decisions that seem out of character. These shifts can affect safety and daily functioning.

6. Memory Loss That Interferes with Life

While everyone forgets things occasionally, consistent memory loss that affects day-to-day life is a serious symptom. This can include forgetting how they arrived somewhere or struggling to recall recent events.

Why Early Detection Matters

Dementia is progressive and currently has no cure. However, identifying symptoms early can help individuals and families plan ahead, get appropriate medical care, and access support services that may improve quality of life. Dementia can affect memory, emotions, language skills, and visual perception — and custom care plans can make daily routines less stressful for both patients and caregivers.

Types of Dementia Often Seen

While not all dementia looks the same, some common forms include:

• Alzheimer’s disease — the most common type, beginning with short-term memory loss.

• Dementia with Lewy Bodies — may cause visual hallucinations and Parkinson’s-like symptoms.

• Frontotemporal Dementia — leads to significant changes in personality and language.

• Vascular Dementia — often appears after mini-strokes or cardiovascular issues.

Each type progresses differently, but recognizing early signs is key to accessing care and support.