There is a lot of difference between age-related memory loss and dementia. However, normal forgetfulness is often caused by a lack of focus and it never progresses into serious territory. Dementia, on the other hand, will get worse over time.

Normal forgetfulness symptoms:

Absentmindedness: This symptom is a normal one in an aged person. The brain starts to forget some memories over time. Absentmindedness is something related to one’s brain focus. For instance, forgetting an appointment might happen simply because a person was preoccupied with the thought of it.

Forgetfulness due to an increase in age: many other mental health conditions lead to forgetfulness. According to research on aging, many other health conditions could contribute to memory loss. For example, people with depression are sometimes mistaken for having the symptoms of dementia. One reason for this may be that a person dealing with depression might be extremely preoccupied with the cause of their sadness and anxiety. Constantly worrying about or obsessing over a recent tragedy can lead to forgetfulness of other areas.

Dementia symptoms:

Dementia is the term for a group of symptoms that occur when the brain is damaged by various diseases. This includes ‘Alzheimer’s disease’ that can cause a stroke. These diseases can cause a significant decline in a person’s mental abilities.

Disorientation: Another common symptom of dementia is the tendency to become disoriented in new environments. Research proved that disorientation extends to both place and time. If an older adult with dementia moves to a location, the unfamiliar stimuli may induce a feeling of insecurity. When disoriented, seniors with dementia might appear lost to onlookers and become easily aggravated with their caregivers.

Forgetting important information: The symptoms of dementia go beyond merely forgetting where an object was placed or when an appointment was scheduled. Symptoms further include forgetting the names of friends and loved ones and an inability to remember some words. When an older adult shows these signs of extreme forgetfulness, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit to a healthcare provider.

Change in personality: Patients with dementia might experience major personality changes. For example, a senior in the middle stages of dementia could suddenly be more susceptible to aggressive behavior, paranoia, or impulsiveness. Often, this is the hardest part of the disease for caregivers to deal with. The association said that it is normal for senior caregivers to feel stressed out by these symptoms. As such, it could be wise to consider using respite care services if it becomes overwhelming.