Forgetfulness or dementia? When to worry about memory loss

Everyone forgets a name or misplaces their spectacles now and then, and this becomes a little more common with age. Dementia is different: it is a decline in memory and thinking that is serious enough to interfere with daily life.

Usually part of normal ageing

• Taking longer to recall a name, then remembering it later.
• Occasionally misplacing things and finding them by retracing steps.
• Needing a list for shopping or appointments.

Worth a check-up

• Asking the same question again and again within a short time.
• Getting lost in a familiar neighbourhood.
• Trouble with tasks they have done for years, such as handling money, cooking a usual dish or taking medicines.
• Forgetting recent conversations or events entirely.
• Changes in personality, suspicion of family members, or seeing things that are not there.

Not all memory loss is dementia

Depression, thyroid problems, low vitamin B12, poor sleep, infections and some medicines can all affect memory. Several of these can be treated, which is why an early assessment matters.

What to do next

Note down the changes you have seen and when they began. Bring a list of all medicines to the consultation. If possible, the family member who knows the person best should join the call, because their observations are an important part of the assessment.

This article is general information and is not a substitute for a consultation.