Warning Signs of Dementia

Dementia-related changes:

• You might forget things more often and not remember them later.
• You might forget the car is parked at the mall and take the bus home.

Normal age-related change:

• You might forget a person's name momentarily or forget an appointment and remember it later.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might have trouble with simple tasks such as making a cup of coffee or a sandwich.
• You might forget the rules of a favourite game.

Normal age-related change:

• You might need help sometimes with the settings on the T.V., computer, or another device.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might struggle with vocabulary frequently.
• You might have trouble finding the right word or calling things by the wrong name.

Normal age-related change:

• You might have difficulty finding the right word from time to time.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might become lost in a familiar neighbourhood.
• You might not know how you arrived at a particular place.
• You might have difficulty finding your way home.

Normal age-related change:

• For a moment, you might forget the day of the week or why you entered a room.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might have unusual changes in judgment or decision-making.
• You might wear a heavy sweater on a hot day.
• You might not be able to make decisions that used to be simple.

Normal age-related change:

• You might make poor decisions occasionally, such as putting off a doctor’s visit despite being sick.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might be unable to find the right coins for the bus.
• You might be unable to read a non-digital clock.
• You might not know what the numbers mean on a cheque.

Normal age-related change:

• You might have difficulty doing simple calculations sometimes.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might put things in odd places.
• You might put the milk in the cupboard or the car keys in the bathroom cabinet.
• You might be unable to think back through the day's activities to determine where you left the keys.

Normal age-related change:

• You might forget where you left the keys occasionally and not be able to retrace your steps to find them.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might act out of character.
• You might have quick changes in mood for no apparent reason.
• You might become easily angry, upset or increasingly suspicious.
• You might lack confidence or feel fearful when you used to feel confident.
• You might feel more introverted when you used to be more outgoing, or vice versa.
• You might feel more confused than usual.

Normal age-related change:

• Sometimes personality changes can happen over time, but you do not have dramatic changes in behaviour.
• You might get upset or anxious when a set routine is changed.

This happen when the brain has problems processing information about 3D objects. This can affect a person's spatial awareness or the ability to judge distances. They may have difficulties:

• Using stairs
• Parking a car
• Recognizing objects

Normal age-related change:

You might have difficulty with your mobility on stairs or find your prescription for your glasses has changed.

Dementia-related changes:

• You might find it hard to begin a task without cues or prompting.
• You might stop important activities like hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.
• You might stop caring about things you used to care about.

Normal age-related change:

• Sometimes, you might feel tired of work, family, or social obligations.