Age-related forgetfulness vs dementia

We all forget things sometimes: not remembering where you put your car keys, forgetting the name of a famous actress in a movie, forgetting how to spell “receipt.”   

When your older adult parent or loved one forgets something, many people worry that something is wrong or that it’s the first sign of dementia. 

As a caregiver, knowing the difference can help you understand what’s normal and what you should talk to a doctor about. 

As people age, changes occur in all parts of the body, including in the brain.¹ Age-related forgetfulness can be one of these changes and is typically a slower retrieval or recall of information. Maybe your loved one misplaces their cellphone but can still retrace their steps to find it.  

Forgetfulness doesn’t always mean something is wrong. People at any age can experience forgetfulness, not just older adults. Forgetfulness can also be a normal part of aging.² 

“Dementia” is an umbrella term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with doing everyday activities like driving, using the phone, or eating. 

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but all types have one thing in common: they are progressive, meaning the dementia can worsen over time. Serious memory problems like dementia are not a normal part of aging. 

Let’s do a quick recap: age-related forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. Serious memory problems like dementia are not.  

If you’re concerned about your loved one, here are some common signs of forgetfulness vs signs of dementia:³ 

Common signs of forgetfulness:  

• Making a bad decision occasionally  

• Missing a monthly payment  

• Forgetting which day it is and remembering later  

• Sometimes forgetting which word to use  

• Losing things from time to time  

Common signs of dementia:

• Making poor judgements and decisions a lot of the time  

• Problems taking care of monthly bills  

• Losing track of the season  

• Difficulty following or maintaining a conversation 

• Misplacing things often and being unable to find them  

• Unable to retrace steps or recall when you last had an item 

Remember, these are signs, not a definitive diagnosis. If you have concerns about your loved one's memory, it’s always best to seek professional medical help from a doctor.

Even if you know the signs of age-related memory loss, you might still worry about your loved one. Here are some ways as a caregiver that you can support your loved one.

• Be patient and compassionate: If your parent forgets or misremembers something, you can gently redirect rather than contradict. Validate how they are feeling and use a calm, reassuring tone. 

• Create a supportive environment: Establish a daily routine and organize things they use often. 

• Communicate clearly: Make sure you and your parent are on the same page about appointments, responsibilities, plans, and everything else. 

If you have concerns about your loved one’s memory, take the time to have a conversation about how you’re feeling. This gives your loved one the chance to share their thoughts, too. Together you can talk about getting professional advice and share plans about long-term care.