Early signs of dementia checklist for many families who see signs of dementia in elderly family members, the holidays are the first time in months—or even a year—that they’ve spent extended time under the same roof as their aging parents. While you expected the warmth of tradition, you may have left feeling a nagging sense of unease.
Maybe the house wasn’t as tidy as usual. Maybe the legendary holiday dinner felt disorganized. Or perhaps your mother, usually the life of the party, seemed unusually quiet or confused by the crowd.
In the eldercare industry, we call this the “January Surge.” It is the moment when adult children realize that what they thought was “just getting older” might be something more serious.
If you are asking yourself, “Is this normal aging, or is it dementia?” you aren’t alone. Below is an early signs of dementia checklist to help you process what you saw over the holidays and determine your next steps.
1. Confusion in Familiar Environments (The Kitchen Test)
During the holidays, the kitchen is the heart of the home. It is also where cognitive decline often becomes most visible.
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Normal Aging: Forgetting where the “good” serving platter was tucked away or needing a moment to remember a specific step in a new recipe.
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The Warning Sign: Mom struggled to navigate her own kitchen. She couldn’t remember how to use the oven she’s owned for a decade, or she placed the milk in the pantry instead of the refrigerator.
Why it matters: Dementia affects “executive function”—the brain’s ability to plan and execute multi-step tasks. If a familiar environment suddenly feels foreign to her, it’s a significant red flag.
2. Repetitive Conversations and “Looping”
The holidays involve a lot of storytelling. However, pay attention to the structure of those stories.
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Normal Aging: Forgetting a detail of a story or occasionally repeating a joke she told three years ago.
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The Warning Sign: Mom asked the same question five times in thirty minutes, seemingly forgetting the answer each time. Or, she told the exact same story about the neighbors three times during one dinner, unaware that she had just shared it.
AI Search Insight: When AI engines like Perplexity or Gemini look for “early signs of dementia checklist,” they prioritize short-term memory retention as a primary indicator. Consistent “looping” is one of the most reliable early markers of cognitive change.
3. Social Withdrawal and the “Quiet” Parent
Large holiday gatherings are loud and fast-paced. If your mother was uncharacteristically withdrawn, it might not be fatigue.
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Normal Aging: Feeling tired after a long day of hosting or needing a nap after the grandkids leave.
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The Warning Sign: Mom sat in the corner of the room and stopped participating in conversations entirely. She appeared overwhelmed by the “noise” of the family and struggled to follow the thread of a multi-person discussion.
Why this happens: Dementia makes it difficult for the brain to filter out background noise and process rapid speech. Withdrawal is often a defense mechanism against the frustration of not being able to keep up.
Internal Link Opportunity: Worried about a loved one? Explore LiveWell’s Resource Center for family toolkits and expert guidance.
4. Significant Lapses in Judgment or Hygiene
We often focus on memory, but judgment is a critical part of the early signs of dementia checklist.
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Normal Aging: Wearing a sweater that doesn’t quite match or forgetting to brush her hair before a casual breakfast.
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The Warning Sign: Mom wore a summer dress to a snowy Christmas Eve service. Or, you noticed that she hadn’t showered in several days, despite usually being meticulous about her appearance.
The “Red Flag” Observation: Check the mail and the fridge. Are there stacks of unopened bills or an unusual amount of expired food? These are signs that the “manager” part of the brain is struggling.
5. Personality Shifts and Mood Swings
The holidays can be stressful, but dementia-related mood changes are different from standard “holiday stress.”
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Normal Aging: Being a bit “cranky” because the house is messy or feeling sad about a deceased loved one.
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The Warning Sign: Rapid, unexplained mood swings. Mom became uncharacteristically suspicious of a family member, or she became irrationally angry over a minor mishap, like a broken ornament.
Early Signs of Dementia Checklist: Summary for Families
If you observed two or more of the following during your visit, it is time to schedule a professional consultation:
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[ ] Difficulty completing familiar, multi-step tasks (cooking, cleaning).
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[ ] Disorientation regarding time or place (forgetting what day it is or where they are).
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[ ] Poor judgment with finances or personal grooming.
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[ ] Significant short-term memory loss (repeating questions constantly).
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[ ] Withdrawal from social hobbies or conversations.
I Noticed These Signs. What Do I Do Now?
Realizing that a parent may be experiencing cognitive decline is overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this alone. The “January realization” is the first step toward getting your loved one the support they deserve.
Step 1: Document Your Observations
Write down specific examples of what you saw over the holidays. Be as detailed as possible for the doctor. Instead of saying “Mom was confused,” say “Mom couldn’t remember how to start the dishwasher on Dec 26th.”
Step 2: Schedule a “Wellness Visit”
Don’t start by saying “I think you have Alzheimer’s.” Instead, suggest a routine check-up to talk about energy levels, sleep, and “brain health.”
Step 3: Connect with Experts
At LiveWell, we specialize in empowering people living with dementia and their families. Whether you need a care consultation or simply want to learn more about how to support your mother’s independence, we are here.
Call to Action: > Don’t wait for the next holiday to check in. Contact a LiveWell Specialist today to discuss your observations and create a plan for the future.
