How Do You Know If You Have Dementia? Signs, Steps, and What to Do Next

My neighbor Margaret called me one afternoon, clearly shaken. She had driven to the grocery store she had visited every week for twenty years, and could not remember how to get home. She sat in the parking lot for over an hour before calling her daughter.

That moment taught me something important. Memory problems do not always look the way we expect. They do not always announce themselves with a dramatic episode. Sometimes they creep in quietly, disguised as stress, fatigue, or just getting older.

But there is a difference between normal aging and something more serious. And the sooner you recognize that difference, the sooner you can get the help and support you need.

In this article, I will walk you through the real signs of dementia, what causes it, and exactly what steps to take if you are concerned, for yourself or someone you love.

How Do You Know If You Have Dementia?

You may be experiencing dementia if your memory problems and cognitive changes are getting worse over time and are beginning to interfere with everyday life.

Everyone forgets things sometimes. You might forget where you put your keys or miss an appointment. That is a normal part of aging. Dementia is different. With dementia, the forgetting is more frequent, more serious, and does not improve with reminders or rest.

Here are the core signs that doctors look for:

• Forgetting recently learned information and asking the same question repeatedly
• Getting lost in familiar places like your neighborhood or local store
• Struggling to follow a conversation or find the right words
• Difficulty completing tasks you have done for years, like cooking a recipe or paying bills
• Losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time
• Poor judgment, like giving large sums of money to strangers
• Withdrawing from hobbies, friends, or family without explanation

If you or someone you love is experiencing several of these signs consistently, it is time to speak with a doctor.

Why Does Dementia Happen?

Dementia happens because brain cells become damaged or die, which disrupts the brain’s ability to communicate clearly.

There are several different causes, and the type of dementia depends on which part of the brain is affected and why. Understanding the cause helps doctors plan the right treatment.

The most common causes include:

• Alzheimer’s disease — This is the most common type, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all cases. It is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain that gradually destroy nerve cells.
• Vascular dementia — This happens when strokes or reduced blood flow damage brain tissue. It often develops suddenly after a major stroke, or slowly after many small ones.
• Lewy body dementia — Tiny protein deposits called Lewy bodies disrupt brain chemistry, causing memory loss, hallucinations, and movement problems.
• Frontotemporal dementia — This type affects the front and sides of the brain, leading to dramatic changes in personality, behavior, and language before memory problems appear.

Some dementia-like symptoms are actually caused by treatable conditions, including thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, urinary tract infections, or medication side effects. This is one important reason why getting a proper medical evaluation matters so much.

What Are the Early Warning Signs to Watch For?

The early signs of dementia are often subtle, and many people dismiss them as normal aging or stress. Knowing what to look for can make a real difference.

Watch for these early warning signs:

• Repeating the same stories or questions in a short period of time
• Forgetting the names of close friends or family members
• Misplacing items in unusual places, like putting car keys in the refrigerator
• Difficulty managing finances, following a recipe, or completing familiar routines
• Becoming confused or disoriented in places that used to be familiar
• Noticeable mood swings, increased anxiety, or unexplained irritability
• Losing interest in activities that used to bring joy

One concept worth understanding is confabulation. This is when a person with dementia fills in memory gaps with false information, not to deceive, but because their brain is trying to make sense of what it cannot fully recall.

If a loved one tells you stories that do not add up or insists on events that did not happen, confabulation may be the reason.

You may also notice changes in language. A person in the early stages of dementia might stop mid-sentence, use the wrong word, or refer to objects as “that thing” because the right word will not come.

What Should You Do If You Think You Have Dementia?

If you suspect you or a loved one may have dementia, the most important thing you can do is schedule an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible.

Here is what I recommend, step by step:

• Start by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Be specific about what you have noticed and how long it has been happening. Write down your concerns before the visit so you do not forget anything.
• Ask for a cognitive assessment. Your doctor may use a short memory test called the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a starting point.
• Get a referral to a specialist. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may refer you to a neurologist, geriatrician, or geriatric psychiatrist for a more complete evaluation.
• Ask about bloodwork and imaging. Tests like a brain MRI or CT scan, along with blood tests, help rule out other causes of your symptoms.
• Bring someone with you to appointments. A trusted friend or family member can help remember information, provide additional observations, and offer support.

Signs It’s Time for Memory Care

There comes a point when caring for someone with dementia at home is no longer safe, no matter how much you love them or how hard you try. You may notice that your loved one is wandering at night, becoming aggressive, or can no longer manage basic personal care even with help.

If you are asking yourself whether home is still the right place, trust that instinct. Here is a guide to help you recognize the signs that memory care may be the right next step.

What Tools and Resources Can Help?

You do not have to face this alone. There is a strong network of tools, programs, and organizations designed to support people with dementia and their caregivers.

Medical and Professional Support

• Your primary care physician or a neurologist for diagnosis and treatment planning
• A geriatric care manager who can coordinate care across multiple providers
• A social worker connected to a hospital or senior center who can help with planning and benefits

National Organizations

• The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900, caregiver resources, and a nationwide care locator
• The Lewy Body Dementia Association provides specialized resources for that specific diagnosis
• AARP’s Caregiver Resource Center

Local and Community Resources

• Adult day programs that offer structured activities and socialization
• Memory cafes, informal gatherings where people with cognitive decline and their caregivers can meet others in similar situations
• Local Area Agency on Aging (eldercare.acl.gov or call 1-800-677-1116)

For the Home

Medication management tools, door alarms, stove shut-off devices, and GPS tracking devices can all help maintain safety at home during the early and middle stages of dementia.

A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) can help assess your home and recommend practical modifications.

When Should You Be Seriously Concerned?

You should take action immediately if the symptoms you are seeing are causing safety risks or are significantly disrupting daily life.

These situations call for urgent attention:

• Leaving the stove on repeatedly or forgetting to eat for long periods
• Getting lost while driving, or being unable to find the way home
• Forgetting to take medications or taking them more than once
• Becoming physically aggressive or experiencing significant personality changes
• Showing signs of paranoia, including believing others are stealing from them or trying to harm them
• Being unable to recognize close family members or longtime friends
• A loved one who seems to be lying or making up stories, this is often confabulation, a dementia-related behavior, not intentional dishonesty, learn why seniors with dementia seem to lie and what to do

One risk that often surprises families is how quickly fall danger increases once cognitive decline sets in. A person with dementia may not recognize hazards, forget to use their walker, or attempt to get up at night without calling for help.

If you are seeing early signs of dementia alongside mobility challenges, I strongly encourage you to read about how dementia increases fall risk and what caregivers can do to prevent them.

If you are seeing any of these signs, do not wait for the next routine appointment. Call the doctor the same day. If the person is in immediate danger, contact emergency services.

An early diagnosis is not a reason to give up hope. Many people live meaningful, active lives for years after a dementia diagnosis, especially when they have the right support in place.

You Deserve Answers and Support

Margaret, the neighbor I told you about at the beginning of this article, eventually received a diagnosis of early-stage vascular dementia. She was scared at first. But she also told me something that has stayed with me ever since.

She said: “Now that I know what I am dealing with, I can actually do something about it.”

That is the real power of getting evaluated. The uncertainty is often more frightening than the truth. And the truth, once you have it, gives you the ability to plan, to make choices, and to get the support you deserve.

If something does not feel right, for you or someone you love, trust that instinct. Talk to a doctor. Ask questions. You are not overreacting. You are doing exactly what a caring, capable person does when they are paying attention.

You are not alone in this. And the sooner you reach out, the more options you will have.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between normal aging and dementia?

Normal aging may cause occasional forgetfulness, like misplacing glasses or forgetting a name you recall later. Dementia causes more serious, consistent memory problems that worsen over time and interfere with daily activities, like forgetting how to cook a familiar meal or getting lost driving home. If the forgetting is progressive and disruptive, it is worth seeing a doctor.

Can dementia be reversed or cured?

Most types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, cannot be reversed or cured. However, some dementia-like symptoms caused by vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, infections, or medication side effects can be treated and resolved. Early diagnosis allows for medications and lifestyle interventions that can slow the progression of some types of dementia and improve quality of life.

At what age does dementia usually start?

Most people diagnosed with dementia are over 65, and the risk increases with age. However, younger-onset dementia, sometimes called early-onset dementia, can occur in people in their 40s or 50s. Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 1 in 9 people over age 65. Regardless of age, symptoms should be evaluated by a medical professional rather than dismissed.