10 Warning signs of dementia

Review 10 potential warning signs of dementia.


1. Memory loss

Example: Forgetting where you placed your car keys or the name of someone you recently met.


2. Difficulty remembering words or speaking

Example: Called expressive aphasia, it means you might notice a struggle to find the right words during a conversation or the use of vague words.


3. Understanding what people are saying

Example: Having difficulty following instructions or understanding the details of a conversation.


4. Changes in mood or behaviour

Example: Experiencing mood swings without an obvious cause or displaying uncharacteristic behaviors.


5. Difficulty with familiar/everyday tasks

Example: Having trouble following a familiar recipe or forgetting the steps in a routine task like putting away dishes.


6. Hallucinations (depending on diagnosis)

Example: You might notice hallucinations with some types of dementia.


7. Getting confused with time or place

Example: Forgetting the day of the week or getting lost in a familiar area.


8. Misplacing things

Example: Putting items in unusual places, like a TV remote in the fridge.


9. Difficulties understanding visual and spatial information

Example: Struggling with depth perception or recognizing landmarks.


10. Decline in decision-making and judgements

Example: Going out in bad storms unnecessarily or making unwise financial decisions like forgetting to pay bills.