10 early signs of dementia: Recognizing the warning signs and taking action

Key takeaways

• Dementia isn't a single disease: It's an umbrella term for a set of symptoms that affect memory, thinking and daily function.
• Early signs can be easy to miss: Knowing the difference between normal aging and an early warning sign is the key to getting the right help at the right time.
• Not every change is permanent: Some dementia-like symptoms are actually reversible when caught early and treated by a primary care team.
• A diagnosis is only the beginning: Senior-focused primary care gives you the extended time, deep listening and coordinated support that a real diagnosis, and a real plan, require.

Watching someone you love start to change may feel unsettling. Maybe it's a name that won't come, a bill that got paid twice or a familiar drive that suddenly felt confusing. It's natural to wonder whether this is just a normal part of getting older, or something more.

Here's the reassuring part: noticing these changes early opens doors. It gives you time to understand what's happening, rule out conditions that are treatable and build a plan with a healthcare provider who knows you. You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to wait for things to get worse before asking for help. 

Dementia vs. normal aging: What's the difference?

Everyone forgets things sometimes. Normal aging can mean misplacing your glasses or blanking on a name for a moment, then remembering it later. Dementia is different. It's an overall term for cognitive, behavioral and psychological changes caused by underlying brain disorders, and it actively disrupts daily life. It is not a normal or inevitable part of getting older.

Spot the difference

The 10 warning signs and symptoms of dementia

It can be really difficult if someone you love keeps saying you’re forgetting important information or they’ve noticed you’ve been having a hard time completing familiar tasks. The warning signs of dementia are often noticed by a loved one well before the person experiencing them notices anything is different. If several of these warning signs below sound familiar, it’s a good reason to schedule a visit, not a reason to panic. 

The 10 warning signs and symptoms of dementia include:¹

1. Memory loss that affects daily life: You may find yourself forgetting recently learned information, important dates or people's names more often than before.
2. Challenges with planning or solving problems: You may have a harder time following a plan, working with numbers or completing tasks that involve several steps. Activities such as following a favorite recipe or keeping track of bills may take more time and effort than they used to.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Everyday activities that once felt routine may become more challenging. You might have trouble getting dressed, following the rules of a favorite game or completing simple household tasks.
4. Confusion with time or place: You may lose track of dates, seasons or the passage of time. It may also become harder to follow schedules or understand events that are not happening right away.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: You may experience problems with balance, reading, judging distance or noticing differences in color and contrast. These changes can sometimes affect activities such as driving, making familiar routes feel less safe or predictable.
6. New problems with speaking or writing: You may struggle to find the right words, repeat yourself or lose your train of thought in the middle of a conversation.
7. Misplacing things and being unable to retrace your steps: You may put items in unusual places and have difficulty figuring out where they went. Unlike occasional forgetfulness, you may be unable to retrace your steps to find the missing item.
8. Changes in judgment or decision-making: You may make decisions that seem unusual for you, such as paying less attention to personal hygiene, overlooking important health concerns or making risky financial choices.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: You may start avoiding hobbies, social events, volunteer activities or work projects that you once enjoyed because they feel overwhelming or frustrating.
10. Changes in mood or personality: You may notice that you feel more confused, anxious, suspicious, depressed or easily upset, especially when routines change.

Reversible vs. progressive dementia: Why finding the cause matters

If you've noticed changes in memory, thinking or behavior, it's important to know that dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, it's a term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect memory, reasoning and daily functioning. In some cases, these symptoms are caused by underlying conditions that can be treated or even reversed. In other cases, they may be linked to progressive forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, which gradually worsen over time.

Because early symptoms can look very similar, getting a thorough assessment is the most important first step. Understanding what's causing the changes you're experiencing can help make sure you receive the right treatment, support and care. At Conviva Senior Primary Care®, you get 50% more one-on-one time with your healthcare provider, giving you more time to discuss concerns, review symptoms, talk through medications and better understand what may be contributing to changes in memory or thinking.

Conditions that can cause reversible, dementia-like symptoms:²

• Nutritional deficiencies: Not getting enough vitamin B-12, thiamin (vitamin B-1), B-6, vitamin E or copper can affect cognition. Dehydration is also a frequent cause of sudden confusion in older adults.
• Metabolic and endocrine conditions: An underactive or overactive thyroid, or uncontrolled low blood sugar, can mimic the symptoms of dementia.
• Infections and immune responses: High fevers, urinary tract infections and certain immune reactions that affect nerve cells can trigger sudden cognitive decline.
• Medication side effects: A reaction to a single medication, or interactions between several, can cause confusion. This is especially common with sleep aids and allergy medications that contain diphenhydramine.
• Normal-pressure hydrocephalus: A buildup of fluid in the brain's cavities can cause walking difficulty, memory loss and bladder issues, and it's treatable with surgery.
• Subdural bleeding: Slow bleeding between the brain's surface and its covering, often the result of a minor fall that went unnoticed, can also cause cognitive symptoms.

Progressive forms of dementia include:²

• Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia, which gradually damages brain cells involved in memory, thinking and behavior.
• Vascular dementia, which develops when reduced blood flow affects areas of the brain, often related to stroke.
• Lewy body dementia, which can cause memory problems along with movement changes, sleep disturbances and visual hallucinations.
• Frontotemporal dementia, which often causes early changes in personality, behavior, judgment or language before memory is noticeably affected.

This is exactly why a thorough assessment matters. A healthcare provider who knows your health history and has time to review your medications, run bloodwork and ask the right questions can help determine whether what you're seeing is reversible, and if it isn't, get you connected to the right kind of ongoing care.

How to proactively protect your brain health

While some risk factors for dementia can't be changed, there are steps you can take to support your brain health throughout your life. Healthy habits can benefit both your body and your mind, and it's never too early or too late to start. Habits worth building into everyday life at any age include:

• Staying physically active
• Managing your heart health
• Choosing brain-healthy foods
• Keeping your mind and social life active
• Protecting your hearing and vision

Talk to your healthcare provider about memory concerns. If you notice changes in your memory, thinking or ability to complete everyday tasks, don't wait to bring them up. Early evaluation can help identify potential causes and connect you with the right care and support.

Frequently asked questions

1. Is there a reliable "early signs of dementia" test I can take at home? 
   There isn't a single at-home test that can diagnose dementia. Tracking changes over time can be a helpful starting point, but a real diagnosis requires comprehensive testing, a physical exam and a cognitive assessment from a healthcare provider.
2. Is dementia genetic? 
   Family history can raise your risk, but having a relative with dementia doesn't mean you'll develop it. While rare genetic mutations can cause early-onset Alzheimer's, most late-onset risk comes from a mix of genetics, lifestyle and cardiovascular health.
3. What should I do if my loved one refuses to see a healthcare provider? 
   Try framing the visit around general wellness rather than memory concerns specifically. A routine physical checkup is a natural, non-threatening starting point. Many treatable conditions, like a vitamin deficiency or thyroid issue, can cause temporary memory problems that look a lot like something more serious.

How Conviva supports your brain health

If you're worried about memory changes, having a healthcare team that knows you well can make a difference. Conviva® physicians spend 50% more one-on-one time with patients, giving you more time to discuss memory concerns, review medications and talk through changes in thinking or daily routines.

Your healthcare provider is supported by a team that can help coordinate cognitive screenings, specialist referrals and follow-up care, making it easier to get the support you need. Conviva also helps manage conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, which are linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline.

If you have concerns about dementia or brain health, call 844-461-0073 to check your Medicare eligibility, find a nearby center or schedule a tour to learn more about senior-focused primary care.

H4: Sources
1.    “10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's and Dementia,” Alzheimer’s Association, accessed Oct. 15, 2026.
2.    “Dementia Symptoms and causes,” Mayo Clinic, June 7, 2025, last accessed Oct. 15, 2026.