How to Distinguish Dementia versus Age Related Forgetfulness

What is the Difference?

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s/Dementia vs. Normal Aging

Signs of Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Poor judgment and decision-making

Difficulty managing a budget

Losing track of the date or season

Struggling to have a conversation

Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps to find them

Typical Age-Related Changes

Occasionally making a bad decision

Missing a monthly bill payment

Forgetting the day but remembering later

Sometimes forgetting the right word to use

Occasionally losing things, but finding them later

What is the Difference?

Recognizing the Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s/Dementia vs. Normal Aging

Signs of Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Typical Age-Related Changes

Poor judgment and decision-making

Occasionally making a bad decision

Difficulty managing a budget

Missing a monthly bill payment

Losing track of the date or season

Forgetting the day but remembering later

Struggling to have a conversation

Sometimes forgetting the right word to use

Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps to find them

Occasionally losing things, but finding them later