More than 7 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. While changes in mood or personality, struggling to complete daily routines and pulling away from social activities are all signs of Alzheimer’s, the hallmark symptom is memory problems.
Everyone forgets things from time to time. Even those with sharp cognitive function may struggle to remember what they had for dinner a few nights ago or how they recognize the actor in the TV show they’re watching.
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Living with Alzheimer’s—or having a loved one who has it—can be so devastating that it’s easy to become hyperaware of it as we age, fearing that every time you forget something, it’s an early stage of dementia. This can make it hard to distinguish “normal” forgetfulness from actual warning signs.
Parade talked with a Cleveland Clinic neurologist about the difference between acute memory issues that are a normal part of aging and early signs of dementia. Plus, see the most science-backed ways to support your cognitive health as you age.
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Certainly, no one wants to get dementia. So how much of it is in our control? “Every case of dementia cannot be prevented from just diet and lifestyle changes because genetics and aging remain major risk factors. However, research does clearly show that addressing modifiable risk factors throughout life can potentially delay a substantial proportion of dementia cases,” says Dr. Nicholas Doher, DO, a neurologist at Cleveland Clinic specializing in cognitive and behavioral neurology, caring for patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia.
Dr. Doher tells Parade that lifestyle changes should not be viewed as a guarantee against dementia, but they can reduce risk, improve cognitive reserve and delay the onset of symptoms.
Curious what habits make the most impact when it comes to lowering your risk of dementia? Dr. Doher emphasizes that one big way to take care of your brain is to take care of your heart. Doing what you can to avoid obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure all lower the risk of dementia. In one 2025 study that took into account people living in 204 countries, cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with incidences of dementia.
Not smoking is another way to lower your risk of dementia. According to a 2025 study published in BMC Public Health, smokers have an estimated 31% greater risk of dementia.
According to Dr. Doher, other ways to lower your risk of dementia include exercising regularly (especially doing aerobic exercise), consistently getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet consisting primarily of plant-based foods and unsaturated fats while limiting ultra-processed foods, minimizing alcohol intake, protecting hearing and vision, consistently learning new skills and maintaining social connections.
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Memory Loss That Is a ‘Normal’ Part of Aging
There’s a difference between moments of forgetfulness that are a normal part of getting older and when forgetting becomes a sign of a neurodegenerative disease, like dementia. “As people age, it may take a little longer to recall a name or learn a new skill or hobby, but the information is usually still there. Dementia, on the other hand, is caused by diseases that damage the brain and interfere with daily functioning,” Dr. Doher says.
With this in mind, all of the below examples are considered normal parts of aging and not a cause for concern, according to Dr. Doher:
Occasionally forgetting a name but remembering it laterMisplacing keys or glassesWalking into a room and forgetting why you went there before remembering laterNeeding reminders or calendars to stay organizedTaking longer to learn new hobbies or unfamiliar tasks“These changes can be very frustrating, but generally do not interfere with independent living and are often not a sign of neurodegenerative diseases,” he says.
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As Dr. Doher previously explained, what sets dementia apart from normal moments of forgetfulness is that it interferes with daily functioning. Forgetting where you put your keys or completely blanking on someone’s name can be annoying, but isn’t limiting in the way symptoms of dementia are.
Below are some examples of memory loss that could be early signs of dementia, according to Dr. Doher:
Repeatedly asking the same questions because the answers are quickly forgottenForgetting recent conversations or events as if they did not happenDifficulty managing finances, medications or other previously familiar responsibilitiesGetting lost in familiar placesTrouble following recipes, instructions or managing complex tasks that were once routineNoticeable changes in judgment, personality or behaviorDifficulty finding words or following conversationsFamily members noticing a decline that the individual may not recognize themselves?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
What To Do if You or a Loved One Is Experiencing These Warning Signs
If you or a loved one is experiencing these warning signs, Dr. Doher recommends seeing a doctor for an evaluation. “Early evaluation is more important today than ever before,” he says.
A physical checkup and cognitive evaluation help pinpoint why the symptoms are occurring. Don’t automatically assume it’s because of dementia. “Symptoms may be caused by medications, depression, sleep disorders, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, infections or other medical conditions that may be treatable,” Dr. Doher tells Parade.
What if the symptoms are due to dementia? Dr. Doher emphasizes that while there is no cure for most neurodegenerative diseases, there are treatments that can improve symptoms, and for people with early Alzheimer's disease, disease-modifying therapies may slow progression.
“Early diagnosis also gives patients and families time to plan, access community resources, address safety concerns, participate in clinical trials and make informed decisions while the patient can still actively participate,” he says.
It bears repeating that not every instance of forgetfulness is a sign of dementia, but it’s also important not to completely ignore them. “I would encourage people not to dismiss concerns simply because they are ‘getting older,’" Dr. Doher says. "If you or a loved one notices persistent changes in memory, thinking or behavior, don't ignore them. Many conditions that affect cognition are treatable, and for those that are not, earlier diagnosis allows for better care, better planning and increasingly access to new therapies that can have an impact on disease progression."
Do what you can to minimize your risk of dementia and, if your health does become impaired, take advantage of the resources available to you. Part of aging well is asking for help when you need it.
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Sources
Alzheimer’s Factsand Figures. Alzheimer’s Association.Dr. Nicholas Doher, DO, neurologist at Cleveland Clinic specializing in cognitive and behavioral neurology.You, W. (2025). Cardiovascular Disease as a Predictor of Dementia: A Cross-National Ecological Study of 204 Countries. Health Science Reports. 8(9):e71179.Myrstad, C., Larssen, M., Engdahl, B., et al. (2025). Smoking is associated with increased risk for dementia: the HUNT study, Norway. BMC Public Health. 26(1):246.Hence then, the article about ask a neurologist when does normal memory loss become something more was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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