Source: Pexels. We all struggle to find the right words sometimes. However, regular substitutions of incorrect words, such as calling a watch a “hand watch,” or frequently losing your train of thought mid-sentence, indicate early signs of dementia. “It’s as if your brain is canceling the call,” notes Dr. Heather Whitson of Duke University. If you consistently have trouble following or maintaining conversations, you should see a doctor.

3. Familiar tasks become puzzles

Zwei Hande fügen vorsichtig a Puzzleteil zusammen, auf weißem Hintergrund. — Photo credit: Pixabay. Cooking mistakes happen to everyone. But if you forget to prepare a dish that has already been made countless times, it indicates something else. When executive functions such as scheduling or multitasking falter, routine activities suddenly become extremely difficult. Talk to your doctor. 4. The play button is stuck

Ein light orange colors Hintergrund mit einer klassischen Cassette, daneben ist ein buntes Band verschlungen.

If conversations get stuck in a loop and the same questions or stories are repeated within minutes, cognitive decline may be the cause. Unlike occasional slips of the tongue, people with early symptoms of dementia show no understanding that they have just shared this information. This pattern leads to a distinct separation, where each story feels like the first time, while others notice the effect of constant repetition.

5. Social withdrawal takes hold