Forgetting a name or word occasionally is usually a normal part of aging, often a "tip-of-the-tongue" moment, not dementia, but frequent, severe issues with language, confusion, or forgetting recent events alongside other symptoms (like trouble with familiar tasks) warrants a doctor's visit for proper diagnosis, as it could be other treatable conditions like stress, sleep issues, or B12 deficiency.
Symptoms
Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. However, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Dementia includes the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, learning, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to the extent that it interferes with a person's quality of life and activities.
The "2-finger test" for dementia involves an examiner showing a hand gesture (like interlocking index and middle fingers) and asking the patient to copy it, testing motor skills, visual memory, and coordination, as difficulties can signal early cognitive decline, but it's a screening tool, not a definitive diagnosis, prompting further medical evaluation. Other related tests include finger-tapping and finger-to-nose, looking for hesitation or misjudgment in movement.
Although the early signs vary, common early symptoms of dementia include: memory problems, particularly remembering recent events. increasing confusion. reduced concentration.
The 5-word memory test is a cognitive screening tool. This approach is simple—a person is told 5 words in a specific order, and a few minutes later, they're asked to recall them in the same order. It's often used by healthcare providers to test memory and short-term recall.
Stage 1: Normal outward behavior. No Dementia.
You won't notice any changes with your loved one.
The SAGE test is a short, self-administered evaluation that screens for early signs of memory or thinking problems like dementia. You take it on your own, at home or at your provider's office. It's simple and there's no studying needed. It can catch issues early.
Age. The biggest risk factor for dementia is ageing. This means as a person gets older, their risk of developing dementia increases a lot. For people aged between 65 and 69, around 2 in every 100 people have dementia.
Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, and having more trouble coming up with words than other people of the same age. It's common for family and friends to notice these changes.
“Stress, an extra-busy day, poor sleep and even some medications can interfere with making and recalling memories,” Yasar says. “And we all have moments when a name or the title of a movie is right on the tip of the tongue, but those events are different from the kinds of lapses that may be warning signs for dementia.”
Forgetting the simple things
Repeatedly forgetting to do simple things like closing the fridge door, turning off the oven, making a cup of tea or locking the door are all signs of memory loss – an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease which is the most common cause of dementia.
For most people with Alzheimer's — those who have the late-onset variety — symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, it's considered early-onset Alzheimer's, which can begin as early as a person's 30s, although this is rare.
Our results confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a substantially increased risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer disease.
Even though a person with dementia may end up sleeping more than a typical person of their age – even as much as 14–15 hours a day – it is unlikely to all be good quality sleep. Sleeping a lot can also be influenced by people's sleeping patterns before they had dementia, as some people need more sleep than others.
The cause of roughly 70% of all dementia cases is Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder characterized by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles, leading to memory loss and impaired thinking that interferes with daily life, making it the most common form of dementia.
Try to limit or avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure or brain injuries, both of which increase the risk of dementia. Current smoking also increases the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
The following procedures also may be used to diagnose dementia: Cognitive and neurological tests. Used to evaluate thinking and physical functioning, these tests include assessments of memory, problem solving, language skills, and math skills, as well as balance, sensory response, and reflexes. Brain scans.
Vitamin D supplements are linked to a significant reduction in dementia risk, with a major study showing users had a 40% lower incidence of developing dementia compared to non-users, particularly benefiting older adults, with even greater effects seen in women and those without existing cognitive issues. This reduction highlights Vitamin D's role in brain health, possibly by clearing amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's.
Common changes in behaviour
The memory span procedure
At the end of a sequence, the person being tested is asked to recall the items in order. The average digit span for normal adults without error is seven plus or minus two.
Smoking, low physical activity, and a poor diet are all lifestyle and environmental influences that have been linked to rapid dementia decline. Physical activity promotes cardiovascular health, which in turn improves brain function. Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle may experience faster cognitive decline.
Symptoms of middle-stage dementia
On average it lasts about two to four years, during which time symptoms are likely to develop in the following ways: ∎Existing problems with memory and thinking will worsen in the middle stage. Many people find it harder to recognise family or close friends.
This may continue into the night, making it hard for them to get enough sleep. This is sometimes known as 'sundowning' but is not necessarily linked to the sun setting or limited to the end of the day. Sundowning can happen at any stage of dementia but is more common during the middle stage and later stages.