One of the questions I hear most often from adult children who visit Alfred House is: “Is what I’m seeing in my parent normal, or should I be worried?” It’s one of the most important questions you can ask – and the answer matters enormously for how you plan ahead.

Normal aging does affect memory and cognition, but in predictable, manageable ways. A 75-year-old might take a little longer to recall a name or need to write down appointments more consistently than they did at 50. These changes are inconvenient but don’t interfere with daily life in a significant way.

Dementia, on the other hand, is characterized by a decline that interferes with everyday functioning. Signs that go beyond normal aging include becoming confused about the year or season, difficulty recognizing longtime friends or family members, using wrong words regularly or losing the thread of a conversation, trouble with basic self-care tasks, and making poor judgment calls that would have been uncharacteristic before.

It’s also worth noting that dementia is an umbrella term – Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but there are others, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia (LBD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Each has slightly different patterns of symptoms and progression, which is why a thorough medical evaluation is essential.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re observing warrants concern, please don’t hesitate to speak with a healthcare professional. In 34 years, I have never once had a family regret asking the question. Early conversations lead to better outcomes – every time.

Dr. Veena Alfred  Ph.D
CEO /Administrator