For most people, occasional lapses in memory are a normal part of the aging
process, not a warning sign of serious mental deterioration or the onset of
dementia.
Normal age-related forgetfulness
The following types of memory lapses are normal among older adults and
generally are not considered warning signs of dementia:
- Forgetting where you left things you use regularly, such as glasses or keys.
- Forgetting names of acquaintances or blocking one memory with a similar one, such as calling a grandson by your son’s name.
- Occasionally forgetting an appointment.
- Having trouble remembering what you’ve just read, or the details of a conversation.
- Walking into a room and forgetting why you entered.
- Becoming easily distracted.
- Not quite being able to retrieve information you have “on the tip of your tongue.”
Does your memory loss affect your ability to function?
The primary difference between age-related memory loss and dementia is that
the former isn’t disabling. The memory lapses have little impact on your daily
performance and ability to do what you want to do.
When memory loss becomes so pervasive and severe that it disrupts your work,
hobbies, social activities, and family relationships, you may be experiencing
the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, or another disorder that causes
dementia, or a condition that mimics dementia.
| Normal age-related memory changes | Symptoms that may indicate dementia |
| Able to function independently and pursue normal activities, despite occasional memory lapses |
Difficulty performing simple tasks (paying bills, dressing appropriately, washing up); forgetting how to do things you’ve done many times |
| Able to recall and describe incidents of forgetfulness | Unable to recall or describe specific instances where memory loss caused problems |
| May pause to remember directions, but doesn’t get lost in familiar places |
Gets lost or disoriented even in familiar places; unable to follow directions |
| Occasional difficulty finding the right word, but no trouble holding a conversation |
Words are frequently forgotten, misused, or garbled; Repeats phrases and stories in same conversation |
| Judgment and decision-making ability the same as always | Trouble making choices; May show poor judgment or behave in socially inappropriate ways |
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