24-hour senior care at home in Switzerland

Signs and early symptoms of dementia

Recognise the early signals – and know when to seek medical advice.

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Dementia usually starts gradually. The first signs are often dismissed as ordinary forgetfulness – yet an early assessment is especially worthwhile, because it brings clarity and makes treatment and planning possible. This overview describes common early symptoms. It does not replace a diagnosis, but it helps you take the signals seriously.

Common signs of dementia

  • Forgetfulness that affects everyday life – especially about recent events

  • Difficulty with familiar tasks and with planning

  • Difficulty finding words and following a conversation

  • Disorientation in time and place

  • Poorer judgement and difficulty making decisions

  • Putting things in unusual places

  • Withdrawal from work, hobbies and social activities

  • Changes in mood, behaviour and personality

Normal forgetfulness or dementia?

Occasionally forgetting a name or an appointment is normal – especially when you are stressed or tired. It becomes a concern when memory lapses happen more often, affect everyday life and come with other changes such as problems with orientation or language. If in doubt, it is better to get checked too early than too late.

Dementia can only be reliably diagnosed through a medical assessment – by your GP or at a memory clinic. For a full overview of the topic, see our guide to dementia.

After the diagnosis: care at home

Once dementia has been diagnosed, familiar surroundings and fixed routines become especially valuable. 24-hour care at home provides structure and safety and takes pressure off the family. To find out how we can help, see Help with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Frequently asked questions about the signs of dementia

Common early symptoms include forgetting recent events, difficulty finding words, disorientation, poorer judgement and changes in mood and behaviour.

Normal forgetfulness is occasional and barely affects everyday life. With dementia, memory lapses become more frequent, disrupt daily life and occur together with other symptoms such as problems with orientation or language.

As soon as changes start to affect everyday life or family members notice them repeatedly. An early assessment by a GP or at a memory clinic brings clarity and opens up options for treatment and planning.

You can look out for typical signals, but you cannot make a diagnosis. Only a medical examination can reliably diagnose dementia and rule out other causes.

Raise the subject gently and encourage a medical assessment. If dementia is confirmed, 24-hour care at home helps maintain safety and structure in familiar surroundings.

Sources

Last updated: November 2026

More guides on senior care

Overview: Guide to care at home