Laura is a writer, illustrator, and artist living in New York City.

If you’ve ever known anyone who has suffered from dementia, then you know they don’t suffer alone.

Dementia is a disease that weighs heavily not only on the person who has it, but also on their friends and families, as they watch someone they love become unrecognizable shadows of their former selves.


Dementia is a terrifying disease, and sadly, there isn’t a cure for it (at least, not yet!). There’s a lot of ongoing research that will help us better understand the disease, too.

For now, though, catching it early can truly make all the difference when it comes to managing the disease and slowing its progression. But how do you even know what to look for?

There are certain signs of dementia that make themselves apparent right away, and these early hints are crucial for catching the disease in its early stages.


You might notice that some of them look like fairly common habits, like forgetfulness or losing track of time. These things happen to everyone from time to time, especially during times of stress or hormonal changes.

However, if you start to notice it happening with someone you know and it seems more often than normal, take note of it. It might help them a great deal.

Learn the warning signs below and if you spot them in someone you know, speak up!