You walk into the kitchen and suddenly can’t remember why you went there.

10 Early Signs of Dementia You Should Never Ignore

You call your granddaughter by your daughter’s name.

You forget an appointment you had written down.

At first, you may laugh it off as a “senior moment.” Everyone forgets things from time to time. But when changes in memory, thinking, personality, or everyday abilities become persistent and begin interfering with daily life, they deserve attention.

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Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is an umbrella term for problems with memory, thinking, reasoning, language, behavior, or the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, but dementia can have many different causes.

Some causes of cognitive changes are treatable or reversible, including certain medication effects, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, sleep disorders, depression, infections, and other medical conditions. That’s one reason early evaluation matters.

Here are 10 warning signs worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

10. Trouble With Visual or Spatial Abilities

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A person may begin having difficulty judging distances, navigating spaces, or interpreting what they see.

Possible warning signs include:

• Frequently bumping into furniture

• Difficulty judging steps or curbs

• Trouble parking or positioning a car

• Difficulty judging distances

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• Getting confused by familiar surroundings

• Problems recognizing objects or familiar faces

These changes can have many causes, including eye disease and neurological conditions. However, new problems with visual-spatial abilities can sometimes occur in dementia and should be evaluated when they persist.

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9. Significant Changes in Sleep

Sleep patterns can change for many reasons as people get older. Insomnia, sleep apnea, medications, pain, anxiety, and other conditions can all interfere with sleep.

However, significant changes in the sleep-wake cycle can sometimes accompany cognitive disorders.

Watch for:

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• Sleeping substantially more or less than usual

• Becoming unusually confused at night

• Repeated nighttime wandering

• Major changes in the day-night schedule

• Acting out dreams through movements such as kicking or punching

A condition called REM sleep behavior disorder, in which a person physically acts out vivid dreams, can be associated with certain neurological disorders. It does not automatically mean dementia is developing, but it deserves medical evaluation.