Key takeaways:
There are many different types of dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type.
Early signs of dementia include new memory loss, moments of confusion, difficulty planning or problem solving, mood changes, and social withdrawal.
Understanding the differences between age-related memory changes and early signs of Alzheimer’s may be helpful if you’re worried about yourself or a loved one. If you’re unsure, a healthcare professional can help.
It’s easy to forget where you put your keys or wonder if you locked the front door, no matter what age you are. As you get older, some changes in memory, attention, and thinking patterns are normal.
Still, many people worry that their forgetfulness could be the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. It can be hard to tell the difference between normal, age-related memory changes and dementia.
Here, we review some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. We also discuss who is at risk for dementia and how it’s different from age-related changes. This information can help you decide if it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional about your concerns or those of a loved one.
What is the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Dementia is a term that describes changes in brain function. These changes can be due to different medical conditions or some medications. These changes make it hard for a person to do everyday activities.
There are many types of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common.
People with dementia may have some or all of the following problems:
Trouble with memory and learning
Decrease in judgment and problem-solving skills
Behavior disruptions
Personality changes
Early signs of dementia
As people get older, they’re likely to notice changes in the way their brain works — especially with memory. Some early symptoms of dementia can look like normal aging, but with a few differences.
The 10 signs below may be more concerning for dementia if they happen consistently, keep getting worse, or start to happen more frequently.
1. Memory loss that affects daily life
People with dementia often forget a conversation they just had or the details of an event that just happened. This looks different from being forgetful or absentminded, which is normal when you’re doing something routine or not paying full attention.
When are “senior moments” a problem? Brief lapses in memory and thinking are normal as we get older. But some signs could mean something more serious. Learn how to spot the difference.
Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia. Learn about other types of dementia and some medical conditions that can mimic it.
How is dementia diagnosed? It can take time — and several rounds of testing — to diagnose dementia.
For example, it’s easy to forget where you put your car keys if you were focused on unloading groceries. But it’s very different when someone has a full conversation and then, just seconds later, doesn’t remember it at all.
2. Challenges with planning or focusing
A person with dementia may get confused easily when trying to make plans. They may also struggle to perform or stay focused on certain tasks. For example, it could be a warning sign if someone has a hard time managing their bills or taking care of their personal hygiene.
3. Difficulty doing familiar things at home or at work
Things that used to be easy may suddenly become difficult. For example, someone with dementia may forget how to drive to a place they go every day. Or they may no longer understand the rules of a game that they’ve played many times.
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4. Confusion about time and place
Dementia can also affect a person’s sense of time and place. They may forget what year it is, where they are, or how they got there.
5. New problems with writing or speaking
These changes can show up in many different ways. A person with dementia might forget the names of common items. You may notice they often stop mid-sentence or repeat themselves when talking. These pauses and word-finding difficulties can also interrupt their writing.
6. Misplacing things
Everyone loses or misplaces things sometimes. But people with dementia may lose things more often and have trouble retracing their steps to find them. They might also put items in unusual places — like putting the car keys in the fridge.
7. Poor judgment
A person with dementia may act in ways that aren’t like their usual self. For example, they may show poor judgment or take risks they normally wouldn’t, like overspending or making unsafe financial choices.
8. Withdrawing
People with dementia tend to pull away from social activities, work, sports, or hobbies. Social settings can feel confusing or overwhelming, so they may start to isolate themselves.
9. Changes in mood
Dementia may cause someone to become easily upset or unusually sad. A person may feel frustrated, confused, or suspicious — even when they’re around friends or in a place they know well.
10. Difficulty in visual and spatial processing
Vision changes can also occur. A person with dementia might have worse eyesight, and they may also have trouble judging depth or understanding where objects are in space.
Who is most likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia?
There isn’t one single cause of Alzheimer’s dementia. Instead, it happens because of a mix of genetics, lifestyle, social, and environmental factors. Research has found several risk factors, including:
Age: This is the biggest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. The older a person is, the more likely they are to develop dementia. Most people with Alzheimer’s dementia are 65 or older.
Sex: Women are more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s dementia. Researchers think this could be because women live longer, but they’re also studying other sex-related factors.
Family history: If you have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s dementia, you’re more likely to develop it. Studies suggest that risk increases by about 30% if you have a close relative with the condition. If more than one family member develops it, the risk is even greater.
Genetics: Experts have identified genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. A few rare genes can even directly cause it. Tests for these genes are available. But it’s important to talk to experts (like a genetic counselor) before considering taking them.
History of head injury: There’s a link between moderate to severe head injuries and the risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Certain health conditions and behaviors also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. These include:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
Depression (diagnosed before age 60)
Hearing loss
Smoking
Disrupted sleep
Limited physical activity
How to tell the difference between normal, age-related cognitive changes and dementia
It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal aging and signs of dementia. But there are a few things to keep in mind.
Let’s say you’ve noticed a change in a loved one. Ask yourself if that change is new or unusual. For instance, if they’ve always had trouble managing finances or staying organized, getting a little worse with age may be normal. But if they used to be good at managing their finances and now often forget how to manage it, that could be more concerning.
Another thing to consider is how the changes affect daily life. Forgetting to close the garage door occasionally or not remembering the name of a distant friend isn’t usually a big concern. But if someone keeps forgetting easy-to-remember names, dates, or events, this could be a warning sign. This is especially true if it causes them to get lost frequently, have trouble finishing tasks, need frequent reminders, or rely on notes or alarms in a way they never have before.
Conditions that can be mistaken for dementia
Some early signs of dementia can also happen with other conditions. That’s why a healthcare professional will likely rule out these conditions first before diagnosing dementia:
Depression
Vitamin deficiency
Hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid in the brain)
Electrolyte abnormalities
Infections
Delirium (sudden confusion)
Substance use
What to do if you think you or a loved one may have dementia
If you think you or a loved one may have dementia, a good place to start is to talk to a healthcare professional. They can ask questions and perform tests to find out if anything else is going on.
Blood tests and other studies are usually done first to rule out conditions that mimic dementia. The next step is cognitive testing. During this, your primary care provider or a brain specialist (neurologist) asks questions to check things like memory, awareness, and language skills.
Depending on those results, they may order imaging tests of your brain. These tests can help them decide what to do next. Diagnosing dementia often takes time because healthcare professionals need to rule out other conditions and to observe how the symptoms progress.
Scientists have also developed a blood test for Alzheimer’s dementia, which should help speed up the process. This test has been cleared (but not fully approved) by the FDA, but it isn’t widely available at the moment.
Frequently asked questions
It’s not possible to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but there are ways to lower your risk. Most of the steps you can take to help prevent dementia involve lifestyle changes. They include regular physical and mental activity, getting plenty of sleep, healthy eating patterns, and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol.
Yes. Alzheimer’s disease damages the brain and affects different body systems. This leads to various complications, which could be fatal. For example, people with Alzheimer’s are more likely to fall or get infections. And because people with Alzheimer’s are often (not always) older, they are also more likely to have other life-threatening conditions like heart disease. It’s difficult to predict how long someone will live with dementia, but it can help to know what to expect.
It’s not possible to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but there are ways to lower your risk. Most of the steps you can take to help prevent dementia involve lifestyle changes. They include regular physical and mental activity, getting plenty of sleep, healthy eating patterns, and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol.
Yes. Alzheimer’s disease damages the brain and affects different body systems. This leads to various complications, which could be fatal. For example, people with Alzheimer’s are more likely to fall or get infections. And because people with Alzheimer’s are often (not always) older, they are also more likely to have other life-threatening conditions like heart disease. It’s difficult to predict how long someone will live with dementia, but it can help to know what to expect.
The bottom line
The early signs of Alzheimer’s dementia can easily be confused with normal memory changes that happen as we age. But there are some clues that can help you tell the difference. If you aren’t sure, talk to a medical expert. They can help you rule out other conditions and decide on the next steps for yourself or a loved one.
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References
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Alzheimer’s Association. (n.d.). Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Alzheimer’s Society. (2023). Is it getting older or dementia?
Carrillo, M. (2016). Why does Alzheimer’s disease affect more women than men? New Alzheimer’s Association grant will help researchers explore that question. Alzheimer’s Association.
Emmady, P. D., et al. (2024). Major neurocognitive disorder (dementia). StatPearls.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2019). Alzheimer’s in the family.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2025). Hydrocephalus. National Institutes of Health.
National Institute on Aging. (2023). Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.
Rauch, K. (2022). Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and the eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). FDA clears first blood test used in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.
Zhang, X. (2021). The epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease modifiable risk factors and prevention. The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease.
