As we get older, most of us have had that moment — standing in a room wondering why we walked in, or struggling to recall a name that's right on the tip of our tongue. It's easy to worry: Is this just aging, or is something more serious happening?
The good news is that not every memory slip signals dementia. The important news is that some changes do warrant attention — and catching them early matters more than most people realize.
What is Dementia?
Dementia isn't a single disease. It's an umbrella term for a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, accounting for roughly 60–80% of cases, but there are other types including Vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Frontotemporal dementia.
Normal Aging vs. Early Warning Signs
The line between normal aging and early dementia can feel blurry, but there are meaningful differences.
It is completely normal to occasionally forget a name but remember it later, to misplace your keys from time to time, to feel slower at learning something new, or to need a moment to find the right word in a conversation. These are nuisances, not red flags.
What is not normal is forgetting recently learned information repeatedly and not being able to recall it at all. It's not normal to get lost in a familiar neighborhood, to struggle with tasks you've done hundreds of times — like balancing a checkbook or following a recipe — or to have people close to you notice changes in your personality, judgement, or behavior that feels out of character. Difficulty following the thread of a conversation, withdrawing from social activities you used to enjoy, and increased confusion about dates, time, or where you are in the world are also signs that deserve medical evaluation.
Why Do Early Signs Get Missed?
Early dementia is frequently missed — sometimes by patients, sometimes even by clinicians — for several reasons. Many people compensate remarkably well in the early stages, relying on notes, routines, or a supportive partner. Symptoms can also be gradual and subtle enough that they're attributed to stress, poor sleep, or simply "getting older."
We now have tools — cognitive assessments, neuroimaging, blood-based biomarkers — that can detect changes in the brain before significant damage has occurred. This matters enormously, because the most promising treatments being studied in clinical trials target people in the earliest stages, or even before symptoms begin.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the warning signs described above — especially if they're new, progressive, or noticed by others — it's worth a conversation with your physician. A referral to a neurologist can help determine whether what you're experiencing is part of normal aging or something that warrants further investigation.
Clinical Trials
At Chase Medical Research, we are actively preparing for upcoming clinical trials focused on early intervention in dementia.
Participating in a clinical trial is one of the most meaningful contributions you can make — not only for your own health, but for future generations. Call us today at (203) 419-4404 to learn more about upcoming studies and whether you or a loved one might be eligible.
In our next post, we'll take a closer look at the different types of dementia and what makes each one distinct — because knowing what you're dealing with is the first step toward dealing with it well.
