What it looks like: Forgetting a grandchild’s birthday but remembering events from 40 years ago. Dementia affects short-term memory first.
When to worry: When forgetting becomes frequent and interferes with daily functioning.
2. Difficulty Planning or Problem-Solving
People may find it hard to follow a familiar recipe, keep track of monthly bills, or concentrate on tasks that require multiple steps.
What it looks like: Taking much longer to do things than before, or being unable to follow a familiar process.
3. Trouble Completing Familiar Tasks
Driving to a familiar location, remembering the rules of a favorite game, or making a grocery list may become challenging.
What it looks like: A lifelong cook forgetting how to prepare a family recipe. A driver getting lost on a familiar route.
4. Confusion with Time or Place
Losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time. Sometimes people forget where they are or how they got there.
What it looks like: Forgetting what day it is, but remembering later. Or being unable to recall the season or time of day at all.
5. Trouble Understanding Visual Images or Spatial Relationships
Vision changes can indicate dementia. People may have difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color or contrast.
What it looks like: Difficulty driving, bumping into things, or misjudging steps.
6. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
People may struggle to follow a conversation, repeat themselves, or call things by the wrong name.
What it looks like: Calling a “watch” a “hand clock.” Stopping mid-sentence and being unable to continue.
7. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
Putting things in unusual places (keys in the freezer, wallet in the microwave) and being unable to retrace steps to find them. Sometimes accusing others of stealing.
What it looks like: Finding the remote control in the refrigerator and having no idea how it got there.
8. Decreased or Poor Judgment
Changes in decision-making or judgment. People may pay less attention to grooming, hygiene, or safety.
What it looks like: Wearing a heavy coat on a hot day. Giving large sums of money to telemarketers. Forgetting to eat or bathe.
