Normal Aging vs. Dementia: Understanding the Difference
Normal Aging vs. Dementia: Understanding the Difference
Yep, we've done it too... it's that moment when you can't find your keys, draw a blank on your neighbour's name, or stand in a doorway wondering, "Why did I come in here?" When it happens, it's natural to feel a little worried, especially if Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia have touched your family. Or if you're noticing some ‘senior moments’ as you age.
These are some of the most common questions people ask. "Should I be worried?" "How do you know if it's normal aging or a possible sign of dementia?"
Dementia can affect so much more than memory. If you're worried about yourself, or someone you care about, we're sharing these real-life examples to help you get some clarity. Here's how to spot the difference.
Key Differentiators of Dementia Warning Signs
Three main things to keep in mind:
1. How often is it happening? With normal aging, we have occasional memory lapses. With potential dementia, these lapses appear almost daily and disrupt normal life.
2. When is it occurring? If you only get flustered when thrown off your routine, that's normal. But confusion during familiar activities or with familiar people could be a sign.
3. Is it really out of character? If someone who's golfed their whole life can't remember which golf club is which, that's more concerning than someone who rarely golfs having the same issue.
Real Life Examples of Dementia Warning Signs... Because We All Need Them:)
Remembering Names and People
• Normal aging: Drawing a blank on the name of someone from your weekly yoga class
• Potential sign of dementia: Not recognizing your daughter or forgetting your partner’s name
Getting Around
• Normal aging: Walking into the kitchen and thinking "Why did I come in here, again?" Or wandering around the parking lot because you can't remember where you parked this time
• Potential signs of dementia: Getting disoriented in your regular grocery store or on your own street. Or forgetting you drove to the store and taking transit home
Everyday Tasks
• Normal aging: Taking a few tries to get the hang of your new coffee maker, but eventually figuring it out
• Potential sign of dementia: Having your son explain how to use the TV remote every day, and it’s still not clicking
In the Kitchen
• Normal aging: Having to keep referring back to the recipe you make from time to time
• Potential sign of dementia: Forgetting how to make your famous spaghetti sauce that you've whipped up weekly from memory, or not remembering how to make a sandwich
Social Activities
• Normal aging: You feel tired of work, family, or social obligations sometimes
• Potential sign of dementia: You might stop doing important activities like hobbies, social things, work projects or sports, or stop being interested in the things you used to care about
See more real-life examples here :)
Grab your free Bingo card, spot the signs, and get real local perks
What better way to boost awareness than with a free game? Download this BINGO card to explore the difference between normal aging and early signs of dementia, and get access to great perks all month long.
Pssst: One of the perks involves a free ice cream!
This isn't about winning... it's about noticing. Let's learn together, one square at a time. *Note: This is an awareness game, NOT a diagnostic tool.
When Should You Reach Out for Help?
If you're noticing potential signs of dementia, it might be time for a friendly chat with your doctor. Remember – there's absolutely no shame in this conversation. Sometimes memory problems are caused by things that can be fixed, like medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies, and other treatable conditions, such as depression.
Reach out to Alzheimer Calgary, or talk to your doctor, if you notice:
• Daily memory issues or confusion that affect your routine activities
• Getting lost or disoriented in familiar places
• Struggling with previously simple tasks
• A noticeable shift from how things used to be
Please note: You can also ask your doctor (or a walk-in clinic) for a referral to a specialist. There are many reasons memory can be affected, and a proper check-up is the best way to understand what's going on. Dementia is diagnosed by ruling out other common causes of these symptoms.
You're Still You – And We're Here
If you're worried about yourself or someone you love, please reach out. Making sense of memory changes isn't something you should have to figure out alone – and we can help.
Want to continue the conversation?
It's free. There is no cost to connect with us.
From the team at Alzheimer Calgary
Normal Aging vs. Dementia: Understanding the Difference
Yep, we've done it too... it's that moment when you can't find your keys, draw a blank on your neighbour's name, or stand in a doorway wondering, "Why did I come in here?" When it happens, it's natural to feel a little worried, especially if Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia have touched your family. Or if you're noticing some ‘senior moments’ as you age.
These are some of the most common questions people ask. "Should I be worried?" "How do you know if it's normal aging or a possible sign of dementia?"
Dementia can affect so much more than memory. If you're worried about yourself, or someone you care about, we're sharing these real-life examples to help you get some clarity. Here's how to spot the difference.
Key Differentiators of Dementia Warning Signs
Three main things to keep in mind:
1. How often is it happening? With normal aging, we have occasional memory lapses. With potential dementia, these lapses appear almost daily and disrupt normal life.
2. When is it occurring? If you only get flustered when thrown off your routine, that's normal. But confusion during familiar activities or with familiar people could be a sign.
3. Is it really out of character? If someone who's golfed their whole life can't remember which golf club is which, that's more concerning than someone who rarely golfs having the same issue.
Real Life Examples of Dementia Warning Signs... Because We All Need Them:)
Remembering Names and People
• Normal aging: Drawing a blank on the name of someone from your weekly yoga class
• Potential sign of dementia: Not recognizing your daughter or forgetting your partner’s name
Getting Around
• Normal aging: Walking into the kitchen and thinking "Why did I come in here, again?" Or wandering around the parking lot because you can't remember where you parked this time
• Potential signs of dementia: Getting disoriented in your regular grocery store or on your own street. Or forgetting you drove to the store and taking transit home
Everyday Tasks
• Normal aging: Taking a few tries to get the hang of your new coffee maker, but eventually figuring it out
• Potential sign of dementia: Having your son explain how to use the TV remote every day, and it’s still not clicking
In the Kitchen
• Normal aging: Having to keep referring back to the recipe you make from time to time
• Potential sign of dementia: Forgetting how to make your famous spaghetti sauce that you've whipped up weekly from memory, or not remembering how to make a sandwich
Social Activities
• Normal aging: You feel tired of work, family, or social obligations sometimes
• Potential sign of dementia: You might stop doing important activities like hobbies, social things, work projects or sports, or stop being interested in the things you used to care about
See more real-life examples here :)
Grab your free Bingo card, spot the signs, and get real local perks
What better way to boost awareness than with a free game? Download this BINGO card to explore the difference between normal aging and early signs of dementia, and get access to great perks all month long.
Pssst: One of the perks involves a free ice cream!
This isn't about winning... it's about noticing. Let's learn together, one square at a time. *Note: This is an awareness game, NOT a diagnostic tool.
When Should You Reach Out for Help?
If you're noticing potential signs of dementia, it might be time for a friendly chat with your doctor. Remember – there's absolutely no shame in this conversation. Sometimes memory problems are caused by things that can be fixed, like medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies, and other treatable conditions, such as depression.
Reach out to Alzheimer Calgary, or talk to your doctor, if you notice:
• Daily memory issues or confusion that affect your routine activities
• Getting lost or disoriented in familiar places
• Struggling with previously simple tasks
• A noticeable shift from how things used to be
Please note: You can also ask your doctor (or a walk-in clinic) for a referral to a specialist. There are many reasons memory can be affected, and a proper check-up is the best way to understand what's going on. Dementia is diagnosed by ruling out other common causes of these symptoms.
You're Still You – And We're Here
If you're worried about yourself or someone you love, please reach out. Making sense of memory changes isn't something you should have to figure out alone – and we can help.
Want to continue the conversation?
It's free. There is no cost to connect with us.
From the team at Alzheimer Calgary
