Memory often changes as people grow older. Some people notice changes in themselves before anyone else does; however, in other cases, friends and family members are the first to notice the changes in memory, behavior or other cognitive abilities. 

 

Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging and can be the trigger that something more serious is happening. 

 

People with one or more of these 10 warning signs should consult with their doctor. 

 

1) Memory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting events, repeating yourself or frequently relying on more aids to help you remember, like sticky notes or reminders. 

 

2) Challenges in planning or solving problems: having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years. 

 

3) Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: having problems with cooking, operating appliances, driving places, using a cellphone, or shopping. 

 

4) Confusion with time or place: having trouble understanding an event that is happening later or losing track of dates. 

 

5) Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: having more difficulty with balance or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often. 

 

6) New problems with words in speaking or writing: having trouble following or joining a conversation or struggling to find a word you are looking for, such as saying, "that thing on your wrist that tells the time, instead of saying "watch".

 

7) Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: placing car keys in the refrigerator or not being able to retrace steps to find something. 

 

8) Decreased or poor judgement: being a victim of a scam, not managing money well, paying less attention to hygiene, or having trouble taking care of a pet. 

 

9) Withdrawal from work or social activities: not wanting to go to church or other activities as you usually do, not being able to follow a baseball game or keep up with what's happening. 

 

10) Changes in mood and personality: getting easily upset in common situations or being fearful or suspicious.