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Normal Aging or Dementia? Know the Memory Loss Signs and Symptoms

A senior couple embracing as they look afar together

It happens to everyone at one time or another. We’ve misplaced an item, forgot the name of an acquaintance or can’t remember why we walked into a room. That’s when the first little moment of doubt may pop up in the back of our mind, “Am I losing my memory?” It can also be the time when friends and family make a joke about you having dementia. So how to do you know if it’s dementia or just the normal signs of aging?  

Even as progress continues to be made in the areas of diagnosis, genetic testing, treating and preventing dementia, it’s important to know when you should talk with your doctor. Remember, while this blog post aims to provide helpful information, only a qualified health professional understands the stages of dementia enough to make a diagnosis. 

Distinguishing Between Normal Aging and Dementia

As you age, changes naturally occur in all parts of the body, including in the brain. However, dementia is not a normal part of getting older. So, while it’s perfectly normal to forget things occasionally at any age, serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things such as driving, using the phone or finding your way home. 

For a health professional to diagnose dementia, a person’s symptoms must be significantly affecting their daily life. This means having difficulties with completing daily tasks about the house, in the community or at work. Some normal signs of aging include the following: 

  • Forgetting the names of people you don’t know well 
  • Having difficulty taking in new information as quickly as you used to 
  • Misplacing items, such as keys or glasses 
  • Occasionally missing an appointment or birthday 
  • Not being able to find the right word during a conversation 
  • Struggling with new technology like apps and smart devices 
  • Needing a bit longer to think things through 

For most people, these are not early signs of dementia. However, here are some indications that it might be time to talk with a doctor: 

  • Asking the same questions repeatedly 
  • Getting lost in places you used to know well 
  • Having trouble following recipes or directions 
  • Becoming more confused about time, people and places 
  • Not taking care of yourself – eating poorly, not bathing or behaving unsafely 

Other Things That Can Affect Memory

It’s possible for memory problems to stem from factors unrelated to dementia or normal aging. Medical conditions, like depression or blood clots, can cause memory problems, but these problems usually go away once the condition is successfully treated. 

Here are some examples of things that may cause memory problems: 

  • Head injury, such as a concussion 
  • Blood clots, tumors or infections in the brain 
  • Thyroid, kidney or liver problems 
  • Medication side effects 
  • Mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety 
  • Alcohol or drug misuse 
  • Sleep problems 
  • Low levels of important nutrients, such as vitamin B12 
  • Not eating enough healthy foods 

Tips for Dealing with Forgetfulness

There are a variety of techniques that may help you stay healthy and deal better with changes in memory and mental abilities: 

  • Learning a new skill 
  • Following a daily routine 
  • Planning tasks, making to-do lists and using memory tools such as calendars and notes 
  • Putting your wallet or purse, keys, phone and glasses in the same place each day 
  • Staying involved in activities that can help both the mind and body 
  • Volunteering in your community, at a school or at your place of worship 
  • Spending time with friends and family 
  • Getting enough sleep, generally seven to eight hours each night 
  • Exercising and eating well 
  • Preventing or controlling high blood pressure 
  • Avoiding or limiting alcohol 
  • Getting help if you feel depressed for weeks at a time 

Award-Winning Memory Care in Bradenton

Freedom Village was recently awarded a gold medal for the 2024 “Best Memory Care” in Bradenton by the readers of the Bradenton Herald. Our memory care community offers Heartfelt CONNECTIONS — A Memory Care Program™ which is a nationally recognized, person centered, activity-focused program grounded in the knowledge that the abilities that remain for an individual impacted by Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia are much more important than what is lost. To learn more, call us today, use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here to schedule your personal visit.