By Dr. Laurie Archbald-Pannone, University of Virginia — 2 September 2020
Forgetting an occasional word or where you put your keys does not mean a person has dementia. As we age, we experience normal cognitive changes. What is more of a potential problem is forgetting the name of someone you see every day, forgetting how to get to a place you visit frequently, or having problems with activities of daily living. Dementia cannot be diagnosed from afar — a person needs a detailed doctor’s exam, sometimes including brain imaging. Discuss changes in your memory openly and honestly with your doctor.