Is it Normal Aging or Something Else?
It can feel overwhelming to know when to be concerned about changes in a loved one. When most people hear the word dementia, they immediately think “memory.” But here’s the important part: it’s not just about memory.
Changes in the brain can show up in many different ways—how someone communicates, navigates their day, or responds to the world around them. Understanding the difference between typical aging and something that may signal a deeper change can help you feel more grounded in what you’re noticing.
One of the trainings I lead focuses entirely on Normal vs. Not Normal Aging. Below are a few key distinctions to keep in mind:
What Can Be Part of Normal Aging:
Occasionally forgetting a name or a word, but being able to describe it, with the word often coming back shortly after
Mixing up the day, month, or even year, but recognizing the mistake and correcting it
Making minor mistakes with everyday tasks (like forgetting to turn something on or off), but noticing and understanding the risk
Misplacing items and feeling frustrated, but being able to retrace steps or ask for help to find them
Getting turned around when driving somewhere new or in challenging conditions (like bad weather)
Changes in visual field of about 20-30 degrees, beginning around age 75
What May Signal Something More:
Difficulty following conversations or understanding directions
Confusion about time, place, or year that doesn’t self-correct
Noticeable changes in behavior, mood, or personality, such as lack of inhibition
Placing items in unusual locations and not remembering doing so
Getting lost when driving to familiar places
Repeating the same stories or questions within a short period of time
Inability to manage medications
Significant word finding challenges, using nonsense words, or dropping words in speech (a, the, -ing, -ed)
Motor or movement changes such as moments of “freezing” or difficulty initiating movement
Experiencing hallucinations or delusions
If you’re noticing changes and wondering what they mean, you’re not alone. These moments can feel uncertain, but they are also an opportunity to pause, look a little closer, and get curious about what might be behind them.
If you have concerns, talk with your loved one’s doctor and bring specific examples of what you’ve been noticing. This can help guide the conversation and ensure the right next steps are considered.
Understanding the difference is not about jumping to conclusions—it’s about knowing when it may be helpful to take the next step.
-Colleen Nolan M.S., CCC-SLP, PAC CDT/L, CDP