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Episode 29: Dementia vs. Normal Aging – What You Need to Know
4 Plays29 days ago
As our parents age, it’s natural to notice changes in their memory or behavior—but how do we distinguish between what’s typical and what may be cause for concern?
In this episode, I explore one of the most common—and emotionally charged—questions I hear from adult children: “Is this dementia, or just normal aging?”
Drawing from my experience as a psychiatrist and aging parent coach, I’ll help you recognize early warning signs of cognitive decline, understand when to seek medical support, and take the first steps toward thoughtful legal and financial planning.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. By the end of the episode, you’ll be better equipped to move forward with clarity, care, and confidence.
🎧 Plus, I’ve created a free Symptom Tracker & Doctor’s Prep Guide to support you on this journey. Download it at www.theagingparentcoach.com
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Transcript
Introduction and Host Background
00:00:03
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hi and welcome back to the Aging Parent Playbook. I'm your host, Dr. Barbara Sparacino, psychiatrist, aging parent coach, and fellow caregiver navigating this complex journey right alongside you.
00:00:15
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Today,
Dementia vs. Normal Aging
00:00:17
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we're talking about one of the most common and most anxiety-producing questions adult children ask me. Is this dementia or no just normal aging?
00:00:27
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So let me guess. You've noticed your parent asking the same question more than once. or they're misplacing things a little more often. Maybe they forgot the name of a neighbor they've known for 20 years, and now your brain is going.
00:00:41
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Is this the beginning of something serious? First of all, take a breath. Memory changes happen with age. That part's normal. But certain patterns of forgetfulness and confusion can signal something more than senior moments.
00:00:59
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Today's
Identifying Early Warning Signs
00:01:00
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episode will help you Understand the difference between normal aging and dementia. Recognize the early warning signs of cognitive decline. Know when and how to seek medical evaluation and support.
00:01:15
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By the end of this episode, you'll be better equipped to spot the red flags and feel confident in your next steps. So, let's dive in.
00:01:25
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So, let's start with the million-dollar questions. what's normal memory loss and what's not? Ways to think about it.
00:01:37
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So normal aging may look like forgetting where you left your keys, but remembering after a few minutes. Occasionally blanking on a word, then recalling it later.
00:01:49
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Maybe missing an appointment here and there, especially when you're stressed or tired. This kind of forgetfulness is frustrating, yes, but it's not dangerous and it doesn't interfere significantly with daily life.
00:02:06
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Now let's talk about what is it normal? Possible signs of dementia may be forgetting what keys are for, not just where they were placed. Repeating the same question or story multiple times in the same conversation.
00:02:20
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Getting lost while driving or walking in a familiar neighborhood. Putting items in strange places like the remote in the refrigerator. The big difference here is functional interference.
00:02:32
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With dementia, memory problems begin to disrupt daily life, relationships, and independence. So
Red Flags in Cognitive Function
00:02:40
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here's a rule of thumb I often share with patients and clients.
00:02:44
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If memory loss makes you worry about their safety, it's time to look deeper.
00:02:54
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And so what are the early signs? Look, Dementia doesn't usually show up overnight. It develops gradually and the early signs can be subtle. Let's walk through a few red flags to watch for.
00:03:07
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Memory loss that disrupts daily life. Again, we're not just talking about misplacing glasses. We're talking about forgetting important recent events, conversations, or repeatedly asking the same question.
00:03:20
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There's also difficulty with planning or problem solving. Your parent may struggle to follow a recipe they've made 100 times or suddenly forget how to pay routine bills. They may also have trouble with multi-step tasks like scheduling appointments or managing medications.
00:03:36
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They may also demonstrate confusion with time or place. It's one thing to forget what day it is. It's another to forget where they are or how they get there. This might look like Going to the store and forgetting the way home.
00:03:52
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Becoming disoriented in their own neighborhood. Not recognizing how much time has passed.
00:04:01
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We also have language and word finding problems. This one can be tricky. Occasional tip of the tongue moments are normal. I've had a few, but someone with early dementia may substitute the wrong words, call objects by strange name, or even stop mid-sentence because they forgot what they were saying.
00:04:22
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Also another
Mood and Behavioral Changes
00:04:23
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one is mood mood personality or behavior changes. One of the most heartbreaking and most telling signs is when your parent just doesn't seem like themselves. This can look like increased irritability or suspicion.
00:04:35
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withdrawing from friends or favorite activities, sudden confusion, apathy, or paranoia. If your parent was once outgoing and is now quiet and withdrawn, or if they seem to distrust others without reason, no that's look that's worth looking into.
00:04:53
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Okay, so what are you seeing some of these red flags? What's the next step? Here's what I recommend. Start a symptom journal. Write down what you're noticing, when it happens, and any patterns that you may observe.
00:05:07
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This can help you track changes over time and can give doctors specific, concrete information with which to work. Document things like repetitive questions, missed medications, disoriented episodes, behavior changes.
00:05:25
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Then schedule a medical evaluation. Please don't wait until something scary happens, like wandering or a car accident, to bring it up. Make an appointment with their primary care provider and ask for a cognitive screening.
00:05:37
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They may refer your parents to a neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist like me, depending on what they find. The sooner you get a diagnosis, is one is present, the more time you have to plan, adjust, care, and explore treatment options.
Planning and Preparedness
00:05:50
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And remember, not all memory loss is Alzheimer's disease. There are many causes of cognitive decline, including vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, depression, and even medication side effects.
00:06:03
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Early evaluation makes a difference.
00:06:08
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Now, begin legal and financial planning. I know it's not the easiest conversation, but if dementia is even a possibility, now is the time to put important documents in place.
00:06:19
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These are a durable power of attorney, healthcare proxy, advanced directives, estate planning documents, You want these decisions made while your parent still has capacity to make these decisions.
00:06:31
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It protects both their wishes and your peace of mind.
00:06:37
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Here's the truth.
Taking Action and Resources
00:06:38
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Understanding the difference between dementia and normal aging doesn't just help your parent. It helps you step out of fear and into action. Early signs can be easy to overlook, but they're not impossible to catch.
00:06:50
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And the earlier you act, the more options you have medically, legally, emotionally and practically.
00:07:01
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I created a free guide to help you track symptoms and prepare questions for your pace your parent's doctor.
00:07:08
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You can grab it at my website at theagingparentcoach.com. If you found this episode helpful, would you do me a favor? Share it with a friend or a sibling. So many families are going through this in silence and a little knowledge can make a huge difference and impact.
00:07:24
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Thanks for being here. I'll see you next week on the Aging Parent Playbook. Take care.