Memory loss is often considered one of the most recognizable signs of dementia, but cognitive decline can sometimes show up in less obvious ways first. From changes in finances and sleep to shifts in personality and driving habits, some early warning signs can be easy to overlook or dismiss as normal aging.
Neurologist Dr. Betsy Grunch says paying attention to subtle changes in a person’s usual behavior and abilities can be important, particularly when those changes are new or progressively getting worse. Here are five potential early signs of dementia that may not always look like memory problems at first.
Women Are Swapping Their Boring Water For This Ice Pop Electrolyte Mix!
1. Financial Problems
Difficulty managing money may be one of the earliest signs of cognitive decline. According to Dr. Grunch, people with dementia can begin experiencing financial challenges years before noticeable memory issues appear.
Tasks like paying bills on time, balancing a budget, tracking expenses, or making sound financial decisions require multiple cognitive skills working together. As these abilities begin to decline, mistakes can become more frequent.
"People with dementia can demonstrate trouble with money or declining credit scores years before memory loss," Dr. Grunch explains.
If a loved one suddenly struggles with finances despite previously managing them well, it may be worth taking a closer look.
2. Significant Sleep Changes
Sleep patterns naturally change with age, but dramatic shifts could be a red flag.
Dr. Grunch notes that some people with early dementia begin waking up extremely early, such as 3 a.m., or experience excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting enough rest. These changes may occur because some of the brain regions responsible for regulating sleep are among the first areas affected by Alzheimer's disease.
"Sleep disorders are common as we get older, but dramatic changes in someone's sleep habits can be a sign of dementia," she says.
Researchers have increasingly found connections between sleep quality and brain health, making unusual sleep disturbances something that shouldn't be ignored.
3. Personality Changes
One of the most overlooked warning signs of dementia has nothing to do with memory at all.
According to Dr. Grunch, noticeable personality changes can occur early in the disease process. Someone who was once social and outgoing may become withdrawn, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, or stop spending time with friends and family.
"They may become more withdrawn and not go out with their friends as much," she explains.
As cognitive decline progresses, individuals may also become more disorganized, struggle to complete household tasks, or have difficulty keeping up with responsibilities at work. Because these changes can happen gradually, loved ones are often the first to notice them.
4. Driving Difficulties
Driving is one of the most complex daily activities we perform, requiring memory, attention, reaction time, judgment, and visual processing. Because so many parts of the brain are involved, changes in driving habits can sometimes signal cognitive decline.
Dr. Grunch says warning signs may include frequent fender benders, unexplained scratches on the car, taking turns too aggressively, or braking and accelerating erratically.
Some people may also begin avoiding driving at night or feel uncomfortable driving with passengers. "Driving is actually a really complex behavior," she notes. "Changes in one's cognition can be demonstrated in difficulty with driving."
While conversations about driving safety can be challenging, experts emphasize that addressing concerns early can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safer.
5. Trouble With Familiar Tasks
Struggling to complete everyday tasks that were once second nature can also be an early warning sign of cognitive decline.
Experts explains that dementia can affect a person’s ability to follow steps, organize information, and complete familiar activities. This could show up as suddenly having trouble using a household appliance, following a familiar recipe, operating a phone or computer, or getting through a routine task at work.
The key is a noticeable change from the person’s usual abilities. Occasionally forgetting how to do something is normal, but repeatedly struggling with familiar tasks or needing significantly more help than before may warrant a conversation with a healthcare professional.
Because many of these signs can also be caused by other health conditions, medications, stress, sleep problems, or normal aging, experiencing one symptom does not necessarily mean someone has dementia. A doctor can help determine what may be behind any concerning changes.
