10 Early Signs of Dementia: What Families Should Look Out For

By Louise Donaghy · Published 2026-05-20

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. While everyone forgets things occasionally, dementia causes ongoing changes that affect memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to manage everyday life.

Recognising the early signs can help families seek support sooner and access treatment, advice, and care planning.

1. Memory Loss That Affects Daily Life

One of the most common early signs is forgetting recently learned information. A person may repeatedly ask the same questions, forget important dates, or rely heavily on notes and reminders.

Forgetting a conversation that happened earlier in the day.

2. Difficulty Planning or Solving Problems

People may struggle to follow familiar recipes, manage bills, balance accounts, or complete tasks that previously felt easy.

Becoming confused when paying household bills or shopping.

3. Confusion With Time or Place

Someone may lose track of dates, seasons, appointments, or where they are.

Believing it is morning when it is evening or forgetting how they arrived somewhere.

4. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

Routine activities can become challenging.

Forgetting how to operate the television remote, washing machine, or make a familiar meal.

5. Problems Understanding Visual Information

Changes in vision can sometimes occur alongside dementia.

Difficulty judging distances, recognising faces, or identifying objects.

6. New Problems With Speaking or Writing

A person may struggle to find the right words, stop in the middle of conversations, or repeat themselves frequently.

Calling a watch “that hand thing.”

7. Misplacing Items and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps

Items may be placed in unusual locations.

Finding car keys in the fridge or a television remote in a wardrobe.

8. Poor Judgement or Decision Making

Changes in judgement can place people at risk.

Giving away large sums of money, falling for scams, or neglecting personal hygiene.

9. Withdrawal From Social Activities

People may begin avoiding hobbies, social events, or family gatherings because they feel confused or embarrassed.

Stopping attendance at clubs, church groups, or coffee mornings.

10. Changes in Mood, Personality, or Behaviour

An individual may become anxious, suspicious, depressed, irritable, or unusually fearful.

Accusing family members of stealing items that have simply been misplaced.

When Should You Seek Help?

If memory problems or behavioural changes are becoming more frequent or affecting daily life, it is important to speak with a GP or healthcare professional. Early diagnosis can provide access to:

Continue with the main Dementia Symptoms.