What are some significant markers that indicate we’re growing older?
Wrinkles on our skin? — Yes. A grey streak or two? — Yes. The body’s pace of bounding back after a trying episode? — Double yes.
But what if there are some subtle signs as well that tell us of our own aging?
It starts with the small changes — perhaps we take a little longer to remember a name, or sometimes struggle to find a word we once used easily, or feel unfamiliar with a routine ritual.
Such changes can feel worrying, especially when we hear about Dementia and wonder whether what we experience is “just aging” or something more serious.
Now, as we grow older, the fear of “losing memory” often becomes a quiet, persistent worry. Forgetting names, misplacing keys, repeating the same stories — these instances can feel alarming. Are they harmless signs of normal aging, or early symptoms of dementia?
The confusion is understandable because both involve changes in memory, thinking, and behaviour, and it is quite common across the world. What’s more, many people don’t realize that while aging does bring some cognitive changes, dementia is not simply a normal part of aging.
But dementia and normal aging are not the same. One is a natural biological process. The other is a medical condition that disrupts daily life, decision-making, and independence.
But how do we tell them apart?
In recent years, conversations around dementia have grown louder as more families confront the enduring condition. Yet, myths and misunderstandings persist and cloud public awareness. While many still believe that dementia is a normal part of getting older, others assume it shows up suddenly, when in fact it develops slowly, often long before visible symptoms appear.
In reality, it starts creeping in with small and subtle changes long before presenting glaring symptoms. And awareness matters because recognizing early warning signs, managing risk factors, and seeking timely care can delay or reduce cognitive decline.