Noticing memory changes in yourself or a loved one can cause worry and concern. You may be wondering whether these changes are due to normal aging or something more serious, such as dementia. 

Sometimes distinguishing between these two possibilities can be challenging, as the differences may not always be obvious. However, there are some clear patterns associated with each of them that can help guide you.

This article will help clarify some of these differences using a helpful comparison chart. It will also break down each category in the chart and recommend when it may be time to get evaluated with a specialist. 

Is Forgetfulness a Normal Part of Aging?

As the brain ages, certain processes can change and affect function. Memory is one such example. In particular, recalling things from short-term memory and processing speed can decline with age. 

Occasional episodes of forgetfulness (such as forgetting someone’s name or misplacing your car keys or wallet) where you remember things later are considered normal and do not necessarily indicate dementia. 

One important distinction is that normal aging tends to affect speed and convenience, while dementia tends to affect functionality, independence, and safety. In other words, memory changes related to dementia tend to be disruptive and impact daily activities. 

Normal Aging vs. Dementia Chart

Signs of Dementia vs. Normal Aging: Category by Category

This section will go into more depth on each category in the chart.

Memory

With normal aging changes, people may momentarily forget things like where they left their keys or the name of the person they are talking to. They may feel like they are slower to recall information than they were in the past. This is due to changes in how fast the brain retrieves memories. In other words, the memories are still there, but it just takes longer to access them. With dementia, changes in neuroanatomy and how the brain works disrupt the ability to form new memories. Older memories tend to remain intact, while newer memories disappear or are not even created in the first place. 

Daily Tasks and Independence 

Age-related changes can cause people to perform daily tasks more slowly. For example, cooking with a recipe or using the computer may take longer. However, people are usually still able to complete the task, despite having to take more time. With dementia, independence is compromised as familiar tasks (especially ones that require multiple steps) can become impossible to complete.

Judgment and Decision-Making

It is normal to occasionally make poor decisions, especially when under a lot of stress. However, with dementia, people may make poor decisions more frequently. It becomes more concerning if there is a consistent pattern of making poor decisions or having lapses in judgment. 

Language and Communication

Everyone has occasional moments where words are on the “tip of their tongue”. It is normal across all ages to have to “search for the right word” every now and then. WIth dementia, these moments become more consistent and noticeable. This happens because dementia affects processes like word retrieval, vocabulary usage, and conversational tracking.

Self-Awareness of Cognitive Changes

With normal age-related cognitive changes, people are often aware of when they have lapses in memory, judgment, or language. With dementia, people often have reduced to no self-awareness of these changes. Usually it is other people, such as family or friends, who notice these difficulties first. This lack of awareness is usually a signal that suggests dementia instead of normal changes due to age.

Are you concerned about dementia symptoms in yourself or a loved one? Take our quiz to find out if evaluation with a specialist may be helpful. (link to the the Demencia Quiz once implemented)

What Is Mild Cognitive Impairment? (The Middle Ground)

Not all cognitive difficulties fit cleanly into the categories of “age-related changes” and “dementia”. Some symptoms fall in between, depending on how often they happen, their severity, and how much they affect daily life. 

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinically recognized “middle stage” that describes some of the symptoms that people experience. Simply put, it means that there are cognitive symptoms that are worse than expected from age-related decline, but not severe enough to qualify as dementia-related. Only a specialist can evaluate for and diagnose someone with MCI. 

People with MCI may still experience memory changes and other cognitive issues. But MCI tends not to come with the functional issues that accompany dementia. In some cases, MCI can progress to dementia (in particular, Alzheimer’s disease). However, not everyone with MCI will end up getting Alzheimer’s disease. 

Even if MCI symptoms are not affecting daily activities, it is still important to get them evaluated by a specialist. Early intervention and monitoring are key to having successful outcomes and maintaining quality of life. 

Early Signs of Dementia to Watch For

If you are concerned about the possibility of dementia in a loved one, this section will go over some key early warning signs to look out for:

• constantly forgetting recent events or conversations (and not just names or dates)
• asking the same questions over and over during a conversation
• getting disoriented or confused in familiar locations
• having trouble following recipes, instructions, or directions (especially if they did not have trouble before)
• difficulty managing finances 
• noticeable changes in personality or mood (such as social withdrawal, irritability, aggression or impulsiveness, etc.)
• difficulty with self-care (such as brushing teeth, eating, getting dressed, etc.)

It is important to note that noticing a single sign is not diagnostic. It becomes concerning when there are patterns of worsening symptoms across multiple categories. If you are noticing multiple worsening warning signs, then it is a good idea to get evaluated with a specialist. 

How Much Forgetfulness Is Normal With Aging?

Everyone at any age can experience occasional moments of forgetfulness. This is normal and is usually not a cause for concern. These difficulties become significant when they start affecting daily function. In other words, are these episodes of forgetfulness affecting relationships, safety, or ability to be independent? 

Here is an everyday example of how to think about this question. Consider the situation of forgetting where you left your car keys. It is normal (and quite common) to misplace keys or other important objects on occasion. However it is not normal to forget what keys are used for in general. 

Other factors, besides age, can cause memory problems. Some of these include stress, lack of sleep, depression, and medication side effects. These are typically reversible issues that should also be ruled out.

When to See a Doctor About Memory Changes

An evaluation with a medical specialist is needed when memory changes are persistent, worsening, or start to affect daily life and independence. In addition, the following signs warrant additional evaluation:

• problems with memory that other people have noticed
• becoming lost/confused/disoriented in familiar places
• trouble with routines and tasks that were once easily managed
• any sudden or rapid cognitive or behavioral changes
• any other cognitive symptoms that start to affect daily activities and the ability to function independently 

No matter the outcome, early evaluation by a neurologist specializing in cognitive issues is essential in getting monitored and treated. A thorough evaluation can also rule out any reversible causes of these symptoms.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between mild cognitive decline and dementia?

Mild cognitive decline (MCI) is when there are cognitive symptoms that are worse than what would be expected from age-related decline. People MCI continue to live independent lives. In contrast, dementia causes cognitive symptoms that cross the threshold for functional impairments that affect daily activities. Early treatment and monitoring are important as, in some cases, MCI can progress to forms of dementia (like Alzheimer's disease).

What age does dementia usually start?

Generally, dementia symptoms appear after age 65. When symptoms occur earlier, this is called “early-onset dementia”, which is less common than than typical dementia. Although the risk for dementia increases as one gets older, age is not a direct cause of dementia. 

Can dementia be prevented or slowed?

There is no way to guarantee that someone will not develop dementia. However, there are some evidence-based lifestyle modifications that have been shown to possibly reduce the risk of developing the condition or slow down its progression. These include regular physical exercise, management of blood pressure, sleep hygiene, and staying socially and mentally active. 

With all this being said, none of this should be considered as treatment or prevention. Only a neurologist can assess your risk for developing dementia. Early evaluation (especially with MCI) is the most important factor in monitoring, managing, and treating any concerns that you may have. 

References:

Dahan L, Rampon C, Florian C. Age-related memory decline, dysfunction of the hippocampus and therapeutic opportunities. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2020;102:109943. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.109943

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-loss-and-forgetfulness/memory-problems-forgetfulness-and-aging

Murman DL. The Impact of Age on Cognition. Semin Hear. 2015;36(3):111-121. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1555115

Randhawa SS, Varghese D. Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment of Age-Related Cognitive Decline. [Updated 2023 Sep 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK580536/

Veronese N, Soysal P, Demurtas J, et al. Physical activity and exercise for the prevention and management of mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a collaborative international guideline. Eur Geriatr Med. 2023;14(5):925-952. doi:10.1007/s41999-023-00858-y

Anand S, Schoo C. Mild Cognitive Impairment. [Updated 2024 Jan 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK599514/