10 Early Warning Signs of Dementia You Shouldn’t Ignore

It often starts small. Maybe your dad tells you the same story twice at dinner. Or your grandmother, who was a regular at her weekly mahjong game, suddenly seems hesitant to leave the house. At first, you brush it off, but over time, these little changes begin to add up.

Dementia rarely announces itself loudly in the beginning. Instead, it shows up quietly, with subtle signs that can be easy to overlook. The key is knowing what to watch for so you can get help early and support your loved one in the best way possible.

Here are 10 common early warning signs:

1. 1. 1. Memory lapses that disrupt daily life
         • It’s one thing to misplace your glasses. It’s another to forget a doctor’s appointment, a recent meal, or an important conversation—and have no recollection of it later. These memory gaps can interfere with daily routines and are an early warning sign of dementia.
      2. Repeating questions or stories
         • Unlike memory gaps, repetition shows up as looping. A loved one may ask the same question multiple times in a short span or retell the same story without realizing they already shared it. This pattern can be frustrating for families, but it often signals changes in how the brain processes and recalls information.
      3. Trouble finding the right words
         • Struggling to come up with a word every so often is no big deal. But when someone regularly substitutes the wrong word (“skirt” instead of “jacket”) or loses their place in a conversation, it may point to changes in language ability.
      4. Difficulty with planning or multitasking
         • Balancing the checkbook, cooking a meal, or following a recipe may suddenly feel confusing or overwhelming. Tasks that once came naturally may now require much more effort—or go unfinished.
      5. Changes in mood or personality
         • You might notice your once-outgoing parent withdrawing from friends, seeming more anxious, or becoming suspicious of others. These emotional and personality changes can be early signs of dementia.
      6. Disorientation with time or place
         • Losing track of the day of the week, forgetting where they are, or not remembering how they got somewhere can be red flags.
      7. Trouble with visual or spatial tasks
         • Beyond normal eyesight changes, dementia can affect depth perception and spatial awareness. This might show up as tripping over objects, struggling to read a clock, or having trouble judging distances.
      8. Misplacing items in unusual places
         • Keys in the freezer or the TV remote in a desk drawer may signal more than forgetfulness, especially if the person can’t retrace their steps. Hoarding or hiding items can also occur, often driven by confusion, anxiety, or fear that belongings will be taken. These behaviors can serve as a coping mechanism to feel more secure.
      9. Poor judgment or decision-making
         • Someone who was once careful with money might suddenly give away large sums, fall for scams, or neglect personal hygiene. These shifts in judgment can be telling.
      10. Sleep or behavior changes
          • New sleep behaviors—like acting out dreams, sleepwalking, or talking in their sleep—can sometimes be linked to dementia and shouldn’t be dismissed as normal aging.

Why noticing the signs matters

Seeing these changes in a loved one can be unsettling but spotting them early makes a difference. A medical evaluation can help rule out other causes, provide treatment options, and give families time to plan. Most importantly, it allows you to support your loved one with understanding, patience, and compassion.