New paranoia (“Someone is stealing from me”)
Sudden apathy about everything
Inappropriate outbursts or crying spells
Loss of empathy
Depression in older adults can be the first sign of dementia — not the other way around.
6. Misplacing Things in Strange Places
(Keys in the freezer, wallet in the oven)
Everyone loses keys.
Putting the TV remote in the fridge and accusing others of hiding it? That’s different.
Sleep hygiene products
Key difference: inability to retrace steps logically.
5. Poor Judgment & Decision-Making
(Falling for obvious scams or giving away large sums)
The brain’s “brake pedal” stops working.
Real-life examples doctors see weekly:
Sending $10,000 to a “grandchild in trouble”
Wearing winter coat in July
Letting strangers into the house
Driving lost for hours in their own neighborhood
Financial exploitation skyrockets in the first year after diagnosis — because judgment fails first.
4. Disorientation to Time & Place
(“What year is it?” confusion)
Forgetting the day of the week is normal.
Thinking it’s 1985 when it’s 2025 is not.
Early signs:
