Each June, we recognize Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, supporting those affected, and encouraging all of us to take proactive steps toward maintaining brain health.

For many families, this also serves as a reminder to pay closer attention to changes they may be noticing in an aging loved one. Repeatedly telling the same stories, increased forgetfulness, difficulty managing familiar tasks, or becoming confused in once-routine situations can raise concerns about whether these changes are simply part of growing older or signs of something more serious.

While some memory changes are a natural part of growing older, others may signal Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Understanding the difference can help families seek support sooner, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis, treatment options, and improved quality of life.

What Is Considered Normal Aging?

Our brains naturally change as we age. Processing speed may slow somewhat, and retrieving information can occasionally take longer than it once did. However, normal aging does not significantly interfere with daily life, decision-making, or independence.

Examples of typical age-related changes include:

Occasionally forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later
Misplacing items from time to time
Taking longer to learn new technology or routines
Sometimes struggling to find the right word during conversation
Making an occasional mistake when balancing a checkbook or paying bills

These changes can be frustrating, but they generally remain stable over time and do not prevent someone from living independently.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is a progressive brain disorder that gradually affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to carry out everyday activities.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2026, and approximately one in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s. As our population ages, those numbers are expected to rise significantly.

Memory loss is often the symptom families notice first, but Alzheimer’s disease impacts much more than memory.

7 Signs It May Be More Than Normal Forgetfulness

Although occasional forgetfulness is common with age, the following seven signs may indicate that something more than normal aging is occurring.

1. Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life

Everyone forgets things occasionally. However, repeatedly forgetting recently learned information, relying heavily on notes or reminders, or asking the same questions over and over again may warrant further evaluation. Examples include:

Repeating stories several times during the same conversation
Forgetting important dates despite reminders
Needing increasing assistance from family members to remember routine activities

2. Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks

People living with Alzheimer’s may begin having trouble completing activities they have done successfully for years. A missed appointment here and there may be normal. Consistently struggling with once-familiar tasks is not. Examples include:

Following a favorite recipe
Managing medications
Operating household appliances
Keeping track of appointments

3. Challenges With Planning or Problem Solving

Alzheimer’s can affect executive functioning, making it difficult to concentrate, organize information, or follow multi-step processes. Examples include:

Difficulty paying bills on time
Trouble balancing a bank account
Becoming overwhelmed by planning a family gathering
Losing track of monthly expenses

4. Confusion With Time or Place

Occasionally forgetting what day of the week it is and remembering later is common with aging. Becoming disoriented in familiar surroundings or losing track of seasons, dates, and the passage of time is more concerning. Warning signs may include:

Forgetting how they arrived somewhere
Becoming lost while driving a familiar route
Not recognizing familiar environments

5. Problems Finding Words or Following Conversations

Most of us occasionally struggle to find the perfect word. Alzheimer’s disease can make communication increasingly difficult. Someone may:

Stop mid-sentence and not know how to continue
Call objects by incorrect names
Withdraw from conversations because they are frustrated or embarrassed
Have difficulty following discussions involving multiple people

6. Poor Judgment and Changes in Decision-Making

Changes in judgment can sometimes appear before significant memory problems. Examples include:

Giving away large sums of money
Falling victim to scams
Neglecting personal hygiene
Wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather
Making unusually risky financial decisions

7. Noticeable Changes in Mood, Personality, or Social Behavior

Alzheimer’s disease can affect emotional regulation and social engagement. Families may notice that their loved one becomes:

More anxious
Easily irritated
Suspicious of others
Less interested in hobbies and activities they once enjoyed
Increasingly withdrawn from friends and family

Why Early Detection Matters

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than half of people living with Alzheimer’s disease may never receive a formal diagnosis, and many others are not diagnosed until symptoms have progressed significantly.

Identifying cognitive changes early gives families more time to understand what is happening, consider available treatment options, and plan for the future. It also allows individuals to participate in important decisions regarding their care, finances, and legal matters while they are still able to express their wishes.

When Should You Seek Help?

If memory changes are beginning to affect safety, finances, driving, medication management, or other daily routines, it is worth discussing concerns with a healthcare provider. Likewise, noticeable changes in mood, judgment, communication, or social engagement should not be ignored.

Not all memory problems are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. In some cases, symptoms may be related to medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies, hearing loss, depression, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, or other medical conditions that can be treated or managed. Seeking an evaluation can provide answers, peace of mind, and valuable time to determine the best path forward.

Understanding Is the First Step

Recognizing the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease is an important first step. If you have questions or concerns about a loved one’s memory, Senior Care Authority can help you better understand your options and connect you with local resources and support.

Early conversations often lead to greater understanding, more choices, and peace of mind for everyone involved.