We all have those moments. You walk into a room and can’t remember why. You misplace your keys, only to find them in the same spot as always. A familiar name takes a few extra seconds to come to mind.
These small lapses are a normal part of aging—the brain, like the rest of the body, slows down a little over time. But what if the changes feel different?
What if words don’t just take longer to find—but sometimes don’t come at all?
What if familiar routines start to feel unfamiliar?
What if balancing a checkbook, following a recipe, or keeping track of medications becomes overwhelming—when it never was before?
When to Pay Attention
Forgetting where you put your glasses is one thing. Forgetting what your glasses are for is another.
Typical aging involves occasional forgetfulness, but dementia and other cognitive changes affect a person’s ability to process, organize, and retain information in ways that impact daily life.
What’s Normal vs. What’s Concerning?
Typical Aging | Possible Signs of Dementia or Cognitive Change |
Occasionally forgetting names but remembering them later | Frequently forgetting familiar names and struggling to recall them even later |
Misplacing items but retracing steps to find them | Placing items in unusual places (e.g., keys in the refrigerator) and not remembering why |
Walking into a room and forgetting why, but remembering shortly after | Entering a familiar place and feeling confused about why you’re there or how you got there |
Needing to check a recipe for a dish you don’t make often | Forgetting how to make a favorite, frequently cooked meal |
Having trouble finding the right word on occasion | Struggling with common words, replacing them with unrelated words, or stopping mid-sentence unable to continue |
Occasionally making errors in managing finances | Struggling with numbers, forgetting to pay bills, or making risky financial decisions |
One Person’s Creative—but Telling—Workaround
A person in the early stages of mixed dementia once developed a unique way to remember how to take their medication. Instead of using a traditional pill organizer, they wrote their instructions on a small tissue—something easy to grab, adjust, and refer to throughout the day.
It read:
Yellow – Night Orange – Day, Morning
This was a creative solution, showing how their brain was still problem-solving. But it was also a sign that something deeper was happening. Medication management—once second nature—was becoming confusing. The tissue note was a small window into a larger change: their brain was working harder to complete what had once been a simple, automatic task.
If You’re Noticing Changes, Don’t Wait
If you or someone you love is experiencing memory loss, confusion, or changes in problem-solving, don’t ignore it. Not all cognitive changes mean dementia.
Some medical conditions can cause similar symptoms and are treatable, including:
Vitamin deficiencies: For example, a lack of vitamin B-12 can affect memory.
Thyroid imbalances: An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can lead to forgetfulness and other cognitive issues.
Depression or anxiety: These conditions can cause forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms that disrupt daily activities.
Medication side effects: Certain medications or combinations can cause forgetfulness or confusion.
Sleep disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea can impair cognitive function.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Especially in older adults, UTIs can lead to sudden confusion or delirium.
What to Do Next
1️⃣ Don’t panic—but don’t dismiss it. It’s easy to brush off changes as “just getting older,” but early identification can lead to better support and care—whatever the cause.
2️⃣ Talk to a doctor. A thorough evaluation—including blood work, medication reviews, and cognitive testing—can help determine what’s happening and whether symptoms might be reversible.
3️⃣ Keep track of changes. Writing down specific examples (what’s happening, when, and how often) can be helpful when speaking with a healthcare provider.
4️⃣ Reach out for support. Whether the cause is dementia or something else, you are not alone. Support, resources, and strategies exist to help navigate whatever comes next.
You’re Not Alone
A diagnosis—whether it’s dementia or something else—doesn’t mean life stops. There are ways to adapt, find support, and continue living with purpose and connection.
At Rise Dementia Care, we’re here to help families understand the changes they’re seeing, provide education, and explore next steps. If you’re noticing shifts in memory or thinking, reach out. Let’s navigate this together.