Author: A Place At Home

As our loved ones grow older, it’s natural to notice little changes in their memory. Maybe Mom repeats a story she told yesterday. Maybe Dad walks into the kitchen and forgets why.

Those moments can trigger a worried question:

“Is this just normal aging, or could this be dementia?”

Understanding the difference can give you peace of mind—and help you get the right support at the right time.

What Is Dementia and How Is It Different From Normal Forgetfulness?

Dementia is not a single disease. It’s a general term for a decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning that is strong enough to affect daily life and independence. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but there are other types such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Key points about dementia:

• It affects more than memory. It can change judgment, personality, language, and the ability to handle everyday tasks.
• It is progressive, meaning symptoms usually get worse over time.
• It interferes with independence, including managing money, medications, driving, cooking, and eventually personal care.

By contrast, normal age-related forgetfulness:

• Is generally mild
• Shows up as occasional memory slips
• Does not stop a person from living independently

Normal aging might mean it takes longer to recall a name or learn new technology. Dementia goes beyond that and starts to change how someone lives, functions, and relates to others.

At What Age Do Seniors Usually Develop Dementia?

Dementia can technically occur at many ages, but for most people it is a condition of older adulthood.

• Most dementia cases begin after age 65. This includes “late-onset” Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form.
• The risk of dementia roughly doubles every five years after age 65.
• Many people are first diagnosed in their 70s or 80s, often after family members notice ongoing changes in memory, judgment, or behavior.

There is also young-onset or early-onset dementia, which can appear before age 65, sometimes even in the 40s or 50s. This is much less common but can be especially challenging for families still working, raising children, or caring for parents.

Is Forgetfulness Always Normal in Aging?

Not all forgetfulness is a warning sign. Some memory changes are a normal part of getting older.

Normal, age-related forgetfulness often looks like:

• Misplacing keys, glasses, or a TV remote once in a while
• Walking into a room and needing a moment to remember why you went there
• Forgetting a name or word but remembering it later
• Needing reminders for appointments, but still managing them when reminded
• Taking longer to learn new technology, apps, or routines

These changes can be frustrating, but they don’t stop someone from living independently, managing their own life, or making sound decisions.

What Kinds of Forgetfulness Might Be a Sign of Dementia?

Forgetfulness becomes more concerning when it is frequent, noticeable, and getting worse over time—especially when it affects daily life.

Forgetfulness that may be a sign of dementia can include:

• Asking the same question or telling the same story over and over
• Forgetting recent conversations or events and not remembering them later
• Getting lost while walking or driving in familiar neighborhoods
• Missing bills, appointments, or medications repeatedly
• Putting items in strange places (keys in the refrigerator, shoes in the oven) and being unable to retrace steps
• Confusing days, seasons, or locations (“I need to go to work” after retirement, or not knowing what city they are in)
• Struggling to follow familiar recipes, use common appliances, or manage money

In short:

If forgetfulness is disrupting daily life, safety, or independence, it deserves a closer look.

What Other Warning Signs of Dementia Should Families Watch For?

While memory loss is usually the most noticeable symptom, dementia often affects several areas of life.

Common early warning signs include:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
   Not just occasionally forgetting—but repeatedly forgetting important information and needing more and more help.
2. Difficulty planning or solving problems
   Trouble following a recipe, managing household finances, organizing tasks, or understanding steps they used to handle easily.
3. Confusion with time or place
   Losing track of dates, seasons, or time; thinking it is the wrong year; getting lost in familiar places.
4. Trouble completing familiar tasks
   Suddenly struggling with things like using a telephone, operating a TV remote, or driving a familiar route.
5. Changes in language
   Difficulty finding common words, repeating themselves, or stopping mid-sentence and being unable to continue.
6. Poor judgment
   Falling for scams, giving away large sums of money, or dressing inappropriately for the weather.
7. Withdrawal from activities and social life
   Losing interest in hobbies, avoiding friends or family, or becoming unusually quiet and withdrawn.
8. Personality and mood changes
   Becoming more suspicious, anxious, fearful, irritated, or unusually sad; reacting differently to familiar situations.

One or two of these signs on a bad day may not mean dementia. But a pattern, especially if it worsens over months or years, is a strong reason to seek professional guidance.

What Should You Do If You’re Worried About a Loved One’s Forgetfulness?

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. You know your loved one better than anyone.

Here are practical steps you can take:

1. Write down what you’re seeing
   Keep a simple journal with dates and examples: missed bills, repeated stories, getting lost, or safety concerns. This helps you see patterns more clearly and gives the doctor specific information.
2. Have a gentle, respectful conversation
   Use a calm tone and “I” statements, like:
   • “I’ve noticed you seem more frustrated with your memory lately. How are you feeling about it?”
   • “I’m a little worried and I’d like us to talk with the doctor together to make sure everything is okay.”
3. Schedule a medical evaluation
   Start with a primary care physician. They can:
   • Review medications
   • Screen for depression, infections, thyroid or vitamin problems
   • Do simple memory and thinking tests
   • Refer to a neurologist or memory clinic if needed
4. Rule out other causes
   Not all memory problems are dementia. Things like medication side effects, depression, poor sleep, infections, dehydration, and vitamin deficiencies can all affect thinking—and many of these are treatable.
5. Ask about next steps
   If dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is suspected, ask about:
   • Follow-up evaluations
   • Lifestyle changes that support brain health
   • Safety planning for driving, medications, and home hazards
   • Community resources and caregiver support

Early evaluation cannot always stop dementia, but it can help you plan, access support sooner, and improve quality of life.

How Long Do The 7 Stages Of Alzheimer’s Last?

How Can You Support a Senior Living With Dementia at Home?

If your loved one is living with dementia, you don’t have to do everything perfectly. Small, consistent steps can make everyday life calmer and safer.

Helpful ways to support a senior with dementia at home:

• Create consistent routines
  Have regular times for meals, bathing, medication, and bedtime. Familiar patterns reduce anxiety and confusion.
• Simplify the environment
  Remove clutter and tripping hazards. Use labels or pictures on doors and drawers. Keep important items in the same place.
• Use memory and safety tools
  Consider calendars, whiteboards, pill organizers, reminder alarms, nightlights, and grab bars in key areas.
• Communicate clearly and kindly
  Speak slowly, use simple sentences, and offer one-step instructions. Maintain eye contact and a reassuring tone. Avoid arguing about details; gently redirect the conversation if needed.
• Encourage movement and engagement
  Short walks, gentle exercises, music, simple games, and familiar hobbies can improve mood and help maintain abilities.
• Protect the caregiver’s well-being
  Caregiving is demanding—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Make time for your own health, rest, and social life. Ask family, friends, and professionals for help.

When Is It Time to Consider Professional Memory Care or In-Home Support?

Many families wait until they are exhausted before seeking extra help. You may want to explore professional care if:

• Your loved one is not safe alone (wandering, falls, leaving appliances on, mixing up medications).
• You are overwhelmed or burned out, feeling constantly stressed or sleep-deprived.
• Personal care tasks (bathing, dressing, toileting) are too physically or emotionally challenging.
• Managing the household, work, and caregiving at the same time feels impossible.

Professional dementia-trained caregivers can:

• Provide companionship and supervision
• Assist with personal care in a dignified, gentle way
• Support meals, medications, and daily routines
• Offer respite, giving family caregivers time to rest and recharge

Getting help is not a sign of failure—it’s a way to protect both your loved one’s safety and your own health.

How Can A Place At Home Support Your Family With Dementia Care?

Caring for a loved one with memory loss is not something you have to do on your own. At A Place At Home – Little Rock, we provide dementia-focused in-home care that supports both seniors and their families. Our caregivers can help with:

• Companion care and social engagement
• Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and toileting
• Medication reminders, meals, and light housekeeping
• Safety supervision to help prevent wandering, falls, and accidents
• Respite care so family caregivers can rest and recharge

If you’re unsure whether your loved one’s forgetfulness is normal or something more, A Place At Home is here to talk, answer questions, and help you explore the best next steps.