Social withdrawal can also occur with depression, loneliness, hearing problems, physical illness, and many other conditions, so it should be considered alongside other symptoms.

10. Changes in Mood or Personality

A person's personality may change for many reasons.

Stress, grief, depression, anxiety, medication changes, and major life events can all affect behavior.

But noticeable and persistent changes in personality can sometimes accompany cognitive disorders.

Someone who was previously calm may become unusually suspicious or anxious.

A normally outgoing person may become withdrawn.

Someone who was flexible may become unusually rigid or irritable when routines change.

Family members may say:

“This isn't like them.”

That observation can be important.

Some forms of dementia, particularly frontotemporal dementia, can produce significant changes in personality, behavior, social judgment, or language relatively early in the disease.

This is one reason dementia should not be thought of as simply a memory disorder.

11. Losing Interest in Hygiene or Personal Care

Changes in personal care can sometimes provide another clue.

A person who has always taken pride in their appearance may begin wearing the same clothes repeatedly, forget to bathe, neglect dental care, or fail to maintain their usual grooming routine.

This can happen for several reasons.

They may forget what they need to do.

They may have difficulty organizing the steps involved.

They may no longer recognize that their appearance has changed.

Or they may simply lose interest in activities that were previously routine.

Sudden changes in hygiene should not automatically be attributed to dementia, however.

Depression, physical limitations, pain, financial difficulties, and other health problems can also affect self-care.

12. Difficulty Understanding Visual or Spatial Information

Some cognitive disorders can affect the way a person interprets what they see.

This may result in difficulty judging distance, recognizing objects, navigating spaces, or understanding visual relationships.

Someone may begin having trouble parking a car, judging how far away another vehicle is, or navigating stairs.

They may struggle with familiar games, puzzles, or tasks that require spatial awareness.

Reading may become more difficult.

Objects may appear confusing even though the person's eyesight itself seems relatively normal.

These changes can have many possible explanations, including eye disease or neurological problems.

That's why a medical evaluation is important rather than assuming dementia is the cause.

Not Every Memory Problem Means Dementia

This is one of the most important points to remember.

Forgetfulness does not automatically mean dementia.

Our brains change as we age.

People may take longer to remember names, occasionally forget appointments, or need more time to learn new information.

Normal aging can involve some changes in memory and processing speed without significantly affecting independence.

The distinction often comes down to impact and progression.

Is the person still able to manage their usual responsibilities?

Are the changes occasional or happening repeatedly?

Are they becoming more frequent?

Is the person struggling with activities they previously performed independently?

Are family members noticing a significant change?