Occasionally misplacing your glasses or forgetting a name is normal with age. But when forgetfulness interferes with daily life, it may be a sign of dementia. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.
Normal forgetfulness vs dementia
| Normal ageing | Possible dementia |
|---|---|
| Forgetting a name but recalling it later | No memory of recent events at all |
| Occasionally losing things | Putting things in odd places (keys in the fridge) |
| Taking a moment to find a word | Unable to follow conversations; repeating the same question |
| Managing daily tasks independently | Trouble with money, cooking or familiar routes |
Other warning signs
- Confusion about date, time or place
- Personality and behaviour change — suspicion, anger, restlessness
- Loss of interest and social withdrawal
- Poor sleep and night-time agitation
Good news: some memory problems are treatable — vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, depression, medicine side effects or fluid build-up in the brain. Early assessment matters.
Diagnosis
A neurologist talks with the patient and family, performs simple memory tests and, when needed, orders blood tests and a brain CT/MRI. A relative who has noticed the day-to-day changes should come to the appointment.
Treatment and care
Some medicines for Alzheimer's can slow progression and ease symptoms. But alongside medicine, family care matters most:
- Keep a consistent daily routine
- Use calendars, clocks and written notes
- Speak patiently in short sentences — avoid arguing
- If they go out alone, keep their name, address and phone number in a pocket
- Caregivers need rest and support too
Keeping the brain healthy
Controlling blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol, regular walking, not smoking, good sleep, reading and staying socially active all lower the risk of dementia.