What to watch for:
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Taking much longer to complete familiar tasks
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Avoiding activities that require step-by-step thinking
3. Confusion with Time or Place
Losing track of dates, seasons, or the passage of time—and sometimes forgetting where they are or how they got there—can be concerning. Everyone misplaces their glasses; consistently forgetting the current year is different.
What to watch for:
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Getting disoriented in familiar neighborhoods
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Confusion about why they’re in a particular location
4. Trouble Understanding Visual Images or Spatial Relationships
Vision changes beyond typical aging—like difficulty reading, judging distance, or determining color/contrast—can affect driving, balance, or daily navigation. This is especially relevant for certain types of dementia.
What to watch for:
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New trouble with depth perception
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Frequently bumping into objects
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Hesitation on stairs
5. New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
Struggling to join a conversation, stopping mid-sentence, or repeating phrases can signal language-related changes. Calling a “watch” a “hand-clock” or having trouble finding the right word for common objects may be noteworthy.
What to watch for:
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Increased frustration during conversations
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Withdrawing from social situations due to communication challenges
6. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
Putting items in unusual places (keys in the freezer, wallet in the sugar bowl) and being unable to backtrack to find them—sometimes accusing others of stealing—can be a red flag.
What to watch for:
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Hiding items for “safekeeping” and forgetting
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Increased suspicion about missing belongings
7. Decreased or Poor Judgment
Changes in decision-making—like giving large sums to telemarketers, neglecting personal hygiene, or dressing inappropriately for the weather—may reflect shifting judgment.
What to watch for:
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Uncharacteristic financial choices
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Reduced awareness of personal safety or grooming
8. Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
Pulling back from hobbies, social engagements, or projects that once brought joy—sometimes because of changes they’re struggling to explain—can be an early emotional sign.
What to watch for:
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Canceling plans frequently
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Losing interest in long-time passions
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Avoiding group settings
9. Changes in Mood, Personality, or Behavior
Becoming unusually confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious—especially in situations that previously felt comfortable—may reflect neurological changes.
What to watch for:
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Increased irritability
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Uncharacteristic emotional outbursts
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Sudden apathy
10. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks at Home, Work, or Leisure
Trouble driving to a known location, managing a budget, or remembering rules of a favorite game can signal cognitive shifts beyond normal aging.
What to watch for:
