Dementia and a wide variety of diseases that result in cognitive impairment for millions of Americans. In fact, 1 in 12 Americans over 50 years of age experience the symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia. If you suspect yourself or a loved one might be starting to show signs of cognitive decline, stay on the lookout for these telltale symptoms, and speak to your primary care physician as soon as possible.

After all, a proper diagnosis in the early stages offers the very best treatment for dementia-related disease. Here is a list of the most common signs of early dementia:

1. Disorientation or confusion about time and place
This may include forgetfulness with names, places, and people. For instance some dementia patients forget where they are, or why they are where they are (i.e., when they walk into a room or how to get home). They might not know the date or time of day, and you might have to remind them repeatedly. It is normal for older people to forget details like date and time sometimes, but if forgetfulness that is recurring may be a sign of early dementia.

2. Troubles with speech or communication
Dementia can also impact speech patterns, since these are also controlled by the brain. If your loved one slurs their speech or has trouble forming words consistently, or staying engaged in a conversation (i.e., repeating the same thing over and over) then this might be a sign of early dementia as well.

3. Memory loss
This will be one of the most obvious early warning signs. In older adults, memory loss may mean briefly forgetting the names of grandkids of children. Everyone forgets stuff some of the time, but those who are starting to show the first signs of dementia will habitually forget details that they should remember, like the current topic of conversation or loved ones’ names. With all of these signs, it is important to distinguish between typical age-related issues (i.e., forgetting something but later remembering in good time) and signs of dementia (i.e., forgetfulness that is recurring and worsens with time).

4. Impulse control issues
Those with dementia, because of progressive cognitive damage, may also have trouble making good decisions. This is because the disease decreases the ability to use proper judgement. This might manifest in decreased impulse control (i.e., putting themselves in danger, groping, erratic behavior, sudden inexplicable movements, etc.).

5. Problem solving difficulties
If your loved one’s ability to think through problems becomes progressively impaired, this could mean that they are in the early stages of dementia. This may cause them to forget what they are doing in the middle of everyday activities, such as dressing themselves, cooking, or home maintenance that they’ve done many times before with no troubles.

Be on the lookout for these early signs of dementia. If you think that you or a loved one may be experiencing cognitive decline, take action now and speak to your doctor who will be able to properly diagnose the condition and recommend treatment (i.e., reliable memory assisted care seniors near me, supplements like Prevagen to promote brain health, or medications to prevent further cognitive impairment). Dementia does not go away, but with the right care, a good quality of life for your loved one can be maintained.