10 warning signs of dementia
Whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone you care aboutit's important to know the most common warning signs of dementia so you can ensure an early diagnosis.
Download our brochure on the 10 warning signs of dementia (mobile version) or the (print-friendly version). This brochure is also available as a one-page illustrated leaflet. These resources are available at your local Alzheimer Society office.
Sign 1: Memory changes that affect day-to-day abilities
Are youor the person you knowforgetting things often or struggling to retain new information?
It's normal to occasionally forget appointmentscolleagues’ names or a friend’s phone number only to remember them a short while later. Howevera person living with dementia may forget things more often or may have difficulty recalling information that has recently been learned.
Sign 2: Difficulty doing familiar tasks
Are youor the person you knowforgetting how to do a typical routine or tasksuch as preparing a meal or getting dressed?
Busy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may forget to serve part of a mealonly to remember about it later. Howevera person living with dementia may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them all their livessuch as preparing a meal or playing a game.
Sign 3: Changes in language and communication
Are youor the person you knowforgetting words or substituting words that don’t fit into a conversation?
Anyone can have trouble finding the right word to express what they want to say. Howevera person living with dementia may forget simple words or may substitute words making that person hard to understand.
Sign 4: Disorientation in time and place
Are youor the person you knowhaving problems knowing what day of the week it is or getting lost in a familiar place?
Have you ever forgotten what day of the week it is or can't remember why you went into your bedroom? It happens to all of us. Howeverpeople living with dementia can become lost on their own streetnot knowing how they got there or how to get home.
Sign 5: Impaired judgment
Are youor the person you knownot recognizing something that can put health and safety at risk?
From time to timepeople may make bad decisions such as putting off seeing a doctor when they are not feeling well. Howevera person living with dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-makingsuch as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day.
Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking
Are youor the person you knowhaving problems understanding what numbers and symbols mean?
From time to timepeople may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinkingsuch managing finances. Howeversomeone living with dementia may have challenges understanding what numbers are and how they are used.
Sign 7: Misplacing things
Are youor the person you knowputting things in places where they shouldn't be?
Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. Howevera person living with dementia may put things in inappropriate places. For examplea remote in the refrigerator.
Sign 8: Changes in moodpersonality and behaviour
Are youor the person you knowexhibiting severe changes in moodpersonality or behaviour?
Sometimes people feel sad and moodyor experience changes in their behaviour. But a person living with dementia may experience more severe changes. For examplethey may quickly become tearful or upset for no obvious reason. They may be confusedfearfulsuspicious and withdraw from others. They may act differently from what is normal for them.
Sign 9: Loss of initiative
Are youor the person you knowlosing interest in friendsfamily and favourite activities?
It's normal to lose interest in houseworkbusiness activities or social obligationsbut most people regain their initiative. Howevera person living with dementia may become passive and disinterested. They may need cues and prompts to become involved.
Sign 10: Challenges understanding visual and spatial information
Are you or someone you know having problems seeing things correctly? Or coordinating visual and spatial information?
A person with dementia may have problems with visiondepth perception and movement. They may have challenges with finding their way around their environment or placing items on a table. Sometimes dementia can be the cause of these issuesand it's important to see a doctor and an eye specialist to get everything checked out.
If you are concerned about any of these signsthe next step is to talk to your doctor. Only a qualified health-care providerafter multiple assessments and testscan confirm whether you or someone you know has dementia.
Disclaimer
Not all symptoms for each type of dementia are listed on this page—just the most common ones. They are based on signs outlined by Alzheimer's Disease International. Visit the Alzheimer's Disease International website to see these steps outlined in SpanishPortugueseHindiChinese and other languages.
More useful links and resources
10 warning signs brochure mobile version. Alzheimer Society of Canada.
10 warning signs brochure print-friendly version. Alzheimer Society of Canada.
10 warning signs one-page illustrated leaflet. Alzheimer Society of Canada.