Maybe you’ve walked into a room and forgotten why, more times than feels normal. Maybe it’s not you; it’s your mum, and she’s asked the same question three times this week. Either way, you’re here because something has made you stop and wonder: is this just getting older, or is this the early signs of dementia?
That question takes courage to ask. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing; it’s a medical condition, and noticing changes early is genuinely one of the most useful things you can do. It opens the door to answers, support, and in some cases, treatment. This guide walks through what to look for and what to do next.
When to See a Doctor
See your GP if changes are persistent, getting worse over weeks or months, or starting to affect daily life, work, or relationships. You don’t need to be certain it’s dementia to book an appointment. If you’re unsure or just want to talk it through first, the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500) is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Normal Ageing vs Early Dementia
Everyone forgets things sometimes. The difference usually comes down to pattern and impact, not a single slip-up.
Normal Ageing | Possible Early Dementia |
Forgetting a name, then remembering it later | Forgetting the names of close family members |
Misplacing keys occasionally | Putting keys somewhere unusual, like the fridge |
Momentarily forgetting a step in a task you know well | Struggling to follow a familiar recipe or routine from start to finish |
Losing track of the day, then remembering | Losing track of the date, season, or where you are |
Needing a reminder now and then | Repeating the same question several times in one conversation |
One or two of the “normal ageing” examples happening occasionally is expected. A pattern of the changes on the right, especially if they’re getting more frequent, is worth discussing with a GP.
10 Early Warning Signs of Dementia
Not everyone experiences all of these, and having one or two occasionally doesn’t mean dementia. What matters is a pattern that’s new, ongoing, and different from how that person usually manages.
1. Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life
Forgetting recently learned information, important dates, or asking for the same information repeatedly. For example, asking what day a family event is happening on, several times, even after being told each time. This is different from normal ageing, where you might forget briefly and then recall it on your own.
2. Difficulty Planning or Problem-Solving
Trouble following a plan, working with numbers, or keeping track of monthly bills. Someone who has always managed the household budget might start missing payments or losing track of simple sums. It may take much longer to do these things than it used to.
3. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks
Trouble finishing everyday tasks, like preparing a favourite meal, using the washing machine, or driving to a familiar location. This is more than a moment of “how do I do this again”; it’s a genuine struggle with something done many times before.
4. Confusion With Time or Place
Losing track of dates, seasons, or how time is passing. Someone might forget where they are or how they got there. This differs from simply losing track of what day it is now and then, which happens to almost everyone occasionally.
5. Trouble With Visual or Spatial Information
Difficulty judging distance, reading, or working out colour or contrast. This can show up as trouble judging steps, misjudging distance while driving, or difficulty telling objects apart against a similar background.
6. New Problems With Words, Speaking or Writing
Struggling to follow or join a conversation, stopping mid-sentence with no idea how to continue, or repeating themselves. They might also struggle to find the right word, calling things by the wrong name.
7. Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
Putting things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps to find them again. Everyone misplaces things now and then, but this becomes a concern when it happens often, and the person cannot work out where they might have left something.
8. Decreased or Poor Judgement
Changes in decision-making, like giving away large amounts of money, falling for a scam, or paying less attention to personal grooming. This is a shift from that person’s usual pattern of judgement, not a one-off mistake.
9. Withdrawal From Work or Social Activities
Pulling away from hobbies, social activities, work projects, or sports they used to enjoy. This might be because they’ve noticed changes themselves and feel embarrassed, or because keeping up has simply become harder.
10. Changes in Mood and Personality
Becoming confused, suspicious, anxious, or fearful, or showing sudden mood swings for no clear reason. A normally easy-going person might become irritable or withdrawn, particularly when they’re outside their usual comfort zone or routine.
Early Signs by Type of Dementia
Different types of dementia often show up in different ways first, since they tend to affect different parts of the brain early on.
Type | What Often Shows First |
Alzheimer’s disease | Short-term memory loss, most common overall and in younger people |
Vascular dementia | Slower thinking, planning difficulties; closely linked to stroke, diabetes and heart disease |
Lewy body dementia | Fluctuating alertness, visual hallucinations, sleep disturbances, sometimes movement changes |
Frontotemporal dementia | Personality and behaviour changes, or language difficulties, often before memory problems |
Early Signs in Women, Men and Young-Onset Dementia
Dementia affects more women than men overall in Australia, partly because women tend to live longer, and age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. Evidence on whether early symptoms genuinely differ by sex is limited, so it’s not accurate to say one sex shows “different” warning signs; the ten signs above apply broadly to everyone.
Young-onset dementia refers to dementia diagnosed before age 65. An estimated 29,000 Australians are currently living with it.
It’s frequently missed early, since symptoms can be mistaken for stress, depression, or menopause, and the average time to diagnosis is around 5 years, longer than the roughly 3-year average across all age groups.
If a person under 65 is showing several of the signs above, it’s still worth raising with a GP; age alone shouldn’t rule it out.
Other Causes of Memory Changes
This is genuinely important: many things that look like early dementia are not dementia at all, and some are completely treatable. These include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Thyroid problems
- Infections, including urinary tract infections in older adults
- Side effects from medication, or interactions between medications
- Poor sleep or sleep apnoea
- Excess alcohol use
- Hearing or vision loss, which can look like confusion or withdrawal
- Delirium, a sudden, often short-term state of confusion, usually linked to illness, infection, or a hospital stay
This is exactly why a proper assessment matters. Ruling out these treatable causes is often the first thing a GP will check, and for some people, that’s the whole answer.
How Dementia Is Diagnosed in Australia
A diagnosis usually starts with your GP. They’ll ask about your symptoms, medical history, and how things have changed, often with input from a family member or close friend who’s noticed the changes too.
Your GP may carry out a brief cognitive screening test in the clinic and will likely order blood tests to check for treatable causes like thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies.
If dementia still seems likely, your GP will refer you to a specialist for further assessment. This might be a geriatrician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or a specialist memory clinic, depending on your age, symptoms, and what’s available in your area.
This assessment may include more detailed cognitive testing and, in some cases, brain imaging such as an MRI or CT scan, to help confirm what’s going on and rule out other causes.
How to Raise It With a Family Member
This conversation is hard, and there’s no perfect way to have it. A few things tend to help:
Choose a calm, private moment, not during an argument or straight after a difficult incident. Speak gently and use “I’ve noticed” rather than “you always” or “you can’t”, for example: “I’ve noticed you’ve been finding it harder to remember our phone calls, and I’m a bit worried. Would you be open to seeing the doctor about it?”
Offer to go together. Many people feel less anxious about a GP visit with support beside them, and it also means someone else can share what they’ve noticed. If the first conversation doesn’t go well, that’s okay; it often takes more than one attempt, and gentle persistence matters more than getting it perfect the first time.
FAQs
Is forgetfulness always a sign of dementia?
No. Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of ageing. Dementia involves a pattern of memory and thinking changes that get worse over time and start affecting daily life, not the occasional slip everyone experiences.
Can early signs of dementia be reversed?
Some causes of memory changes, like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, or medication side effects, are treatable and can improve once addressed. Dementia itself currently cannot be reversed, but early diagnosis allows for better planning, support, and in some cases, treatments that can slow progression.
What age does dementia usually start?
Dementia becomes more common after 65, but it can occur earlier. Around 29,000 Australians currently live with young-onset dementia, diagnosed before age 65.
Should I see a GP or go straight to a specialist?
Start with your GP. They’ll take an initial history, run basic tests, and refer you to the right specialist, such as a geriatrician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or memory clinic, if further assessment is needed.
How long does it take to get a diagnosis in Australia?
On average, around 3 years from when symptoms first begin, and often longer for younger people. Raising concerns early with your GP can help shorten this timeframe.
What should I do if a family member refuses to see a doctor?
Try again gently at a calmer time, and consider involving another trusted family member or friend. You can also call the National Dementia Helpline (1800 100 500) yourself for guidance on how to approach the conversation.
Conclusion
If you’re noticing these signs in yourself or someone you love, a HelloDoc GP consultation is a good place to start. Your GP can talk through what you’ve noticed, arrange initial tests, and if needed, provide a referral to the right specialist for further assessment. Getting that first conversation started, from home, without waiting weeks for an appointment, is often the hardest part, and the one that matters most.
This article is intended for general informational purposes and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice.
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