What Are Early Warning Signs of Dementia?
We all have those moments—walking into a room and forgetting why, or misplacing the car keys for the third time this week. These lapses in memory can be a normal part of aging. However, not all forgetfulness is harmless. In some cases, these subtle changes may signal the beginning of something more serious: dementia.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is best understood as a syndrome—a collection of symptoms that affect cognitive function, such as memory, reasoning, language, and behavior. It is not a single disease, but rather an umbrella term used to describe a variety of conditions that cause a progressive decline in mental abilities, severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Common Types of Dementia
There are several forms of dementia, each with distinct causes and patterns of progression:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s accounts for 60–80% of cases. It is marked by the gradual buildup of plaques and tangles in the brain, leading to memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. - Vascular Dementia
Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain—often due to strokes or small vessel disease—vascular dementia can result in sudden or stepwise cognitive decline, especially in attention, planning, and decision-making. - Lewy Body Dementia
This type involves abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain and can cause hallucinations, movement difficulties, and fluctuations in alertness.
Other forms include Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, and mixed dementia, where more than one cause is present.
Why Early Detection Matters
Recognizing the early signs of dementia is crucial. When addressed promptly, many contributing factors—such as chronic inflammation, poor circulation, metabolic imbalances, or nutrient deficiencies—can be improved. At Caring for the Body, PLLC, we believe that cognitive decline is not inevitable. With functional medicine tools and a root-cause approach, it is often possible to slow, halt, or even reverse the progression of early-stage cognitive decline.
Proactive care can preserve independence, protect quality of life, and empower individuals to stay mentally sharp well into their later years.
Common Early Warning Signs of Dementia
Recognizing the early warning signs of dementia can lead to earlier diagnosis, better planning, and more effective treatment options. Below are some of the most common symptoms to watch for—each may seem minor on its own, but when they begin to add up or interfere with daily life, they warrant a closer look.
Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life
One of the most well-known early signs of dementia is memory loss—particularly forgetting information that was recently learned.
- Repeatedly asking the same questions
- Forgetting important dates or events
- Increasing reliance on memory aids like notes, calendars, or electronic reminders
- Needing help from family members to recall things they used to manage independently
Difficulty Planning or Solving Problems
Individuals with dementia may begin to struggle with tasks that require concentration and critical thinking.
- Trouble working with numbers (e.g., paying bills, calculating tips)
- Difficulty following a familiar recipe or planning meals
- Making mistakes when managing finances or scheduling appointments
Confusion with Time or Place
Losing track of time is another early warning sign. People may forget where they are or how they got there.
- Getting lost in familiar places like the neighborhood or grocery store
- Confusing the time of day, the day of the week, or the current season
- Becoming disoriented even in their own home
Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
For some, dementia can impact vision and depth perception, even in the absence of eye problems.
- Difficulty judging distances while driving
- Trouble reading or interpreting maps
- Problems with balance or navigating around furniture
- Difficulty recognizing familiar faces or interpreting facial expressions
New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
Language issues often arise in the early stages of cognitive decline.
- Struggling to find the right word or calling things by the wrong name
- Repeating themselves in conversation
- Pausing frequently while speaking or losing their train of thought
- Withdrawing from social situations due to frustration or embarrassment
Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
Everyone misplaces things now and then—but individuals with dementia may do so more frequently and be unable to retrace their steps to find them. Over time, this can lead to frustration, confusion, and even conflict.
- Placing items in unusual locations (e.g., keys in the refrigerator)
- Inability to recall when or where something was last used
- Accusing others of stealing or hiding things due to frequent losses
Decreased or Poor Judgment
Changes in decision-making or judgment are another hallmark of early dementia. Individuals may begin to act in ways that are out of character or potentially risky.
- Falling for scams or giving away large sums of money
- Neglecting personal hygiene or wearing inappropriate clothing for the weather
- Making impulsive or irresponsible financial, health, or social choices
Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
As cognitive decline progresses, individuals may begin to avoid the very things that once brought them joy and connection.
- Losing interest in hobbies, projects, or volunteer activities
- Skipping work responsibilities or social gatherings
- Struggling to keep up in conversations or feeling embarrassed by memory lapses
Changes in Mood and Personality
Dementia doesn’t just affect memory—it also alters mood and behavior in ways that can be startling to loved ones.
- Becoming unusually suspicious, irritable, anxious, or fearful
- Experiencing rapid mood swings or increased sensitivity to change
- Displaying signs of depression or disinterest in life
Risk Factors to Watch For
While dementia can affect anyone, certain factors increase the likelihood of developing cognitive decline. Understanding these risks allows for earlier intervention—and often, prevention. At Caring for the Body, PLLC, we specialize in identifying and addressing these root causes through our precision medicine approach.
Family History and Genetic Predisposition (APOE4)
If dementia runs in your family—especially if you carry the APOE4 gene variant—your risk is significantly higher. This gene affects how the brain handles cholesterol and clears amyloid plaques. While genetics can't be changed, lifestyle choices and personalized care plans can dramatically influence how genes are expressed.
Cardiometabolic Dysfunction
Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol can impair blood flow to the brain, accelerating cognitive decline. These issues are often connected to insulin resistance, vascular damage, and systemic inflammation—all of which we address in our comprehensive ReThink Aging program.
Chronic Inflammation and Gut Health
Systemic inflammation and gut dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbiome) are emerging as key players in the development of dementia. An unhealthy gut can trigger immune responses that affect the brain—a concept known as the gut-brain connection. We assess and correct these imbalances through advanced diagnostic testing and targeted protocols.
Sedentary Lifestyle and Poor Sleep
Lack of physical activity and disrupted sleep are modifiable risk factors that often go overlooked. Exercise improves circulation and supports neurogenesis, while deep sleep is essential for memory consolidation and brain detoxification. Our team provides personalized movement plans and sleep optimization strategies tailored to your body’s needs.
Environmental Toxin Exposure
Chronic exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, mold, and other environmental toxins can damage neurons and accelerate brain aging. Through advanced testing and safe detoxification protocols, we help patients reduce their toxic burden and support the body's natural elimination pathways.
How Caring for the Body, PLLC Can Help
At Caring for the Body, PLLC, we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we use root cause resolution to evaluate your unique health profile and design a comprehensive, customized plan for brain and body vitality.
Our ReThink Aging program is a 3-month, high-touch functional medicine experience designed to help you:
- Identify and address your specific risk factors
- Optimize nutrition, sleep, hormones, and detox pathways
- Improve energy, focus, and resilience from the inside out
We believe that dementia is not inevitable—and that your brain health is worth protecting now, not later.
Take Action Now: Protect Your Brain and Future
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. The early signs of dementia are your brain’s way of asking for support—and with the right care, there is so much that can be done to restore clarity, energy, and focus.
If you or someone you love is experiencing memory changes, confusion, or other signs of cognitive decline, now is the time to take action.
🔹 Book a Discovery Consultation with Dr. Cynthia Libert
This comprehensive, 2-hour consultation is your opportunity to explore the root causes of brain fog, memory loss, and other concerns—and begin a personalized journey toward lifelong cognitive vitality.
📞 Contact Us Today
Phone: (828) 490-1545
Email: help@caringforthebody.org
Website: www.caringforthebody.org
Location: 1998 Hendersonville Rd, Suite #24, Asheville, NC 28803
Let us help you protect what matters most—your mind, your memories, and your ability to live a life full of purpose, joy, and connection.