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

8. Withdrawal From Hobbies and Social Activities

Someone who has always enjoyed golf, cards, reading, gardening, religious activities, or spending time with friends may suddenly stop participating.

---

That change should not automatically be dismissed as laziness or simply “getting older.”

A person may withdraw because they are experiencing:

• Memory difficulties

• Trouble following conversations

• Loss of confidence

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Problems organizing activities

Loss of interest can also occur in depression, which is why a healthcare professional should look at the bigger picture.

---

7. Changes in Mood or Personality

One of the more noticeable changes can be a shift in someone’s usual personality.

A previously easygoing person may become unusually suspicious, anxious, irritable, apathetic, or emotionally unpredictable.

Possible changes include:

---

• New or unusual suspicion

• Increased irritability

• Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities

• Uncharacteristic emotional outbursts

• Reduced empathy

• Increased anxiety

• Unusual apathy

Personality changes can occur with some forms of dementia, but they can also result from depression, medications, stress, psychiatric conditions, or other neurological problems.

A sudden personality change deserves attention rather than being automatically labeled dementia.

6. Frequently Misplacing Things in Unusual Places

---

Everyone misplaces their keys occasionally.

The difference is often what happens afterward.

With normal forgetfulness, a person may eventually remember where they placed something or retrace their steps and find it.

A more concerning pattern may involve putting everyday objects in highly unusual locations and being unable to retrace the steps that led there.

---

For example, someone might repeatedly put:

• Keys in the refrigerator

• A wallet in a kitchen cabinet

• A remote control in a drawer with clothing

Another warning sign is repeatedly accusing other people of stealing items because the person cannot remember where they placed them.

Occasional misplaced objects are normal. A persistent pattern accompanied by other cognitive changes is more concerning.

---

5. Poor Judgment or Decision-Making

Changes in judgment can sometimes appear before severe memory problems become obvious.

Someone who was previously careful with money or personal safety may begin making unusually risky decisions.

Examples might include:

---

• Falling for obvious financial scams

• Giving large amounts of money to strangers

• Making unusually impulsive purchases

• Allowing unfamiliar people into the home

• Ignoring important safety precautions

• Making decisions that are dramatically out of character