Signs and Symptoms of Dementia | Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

<!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en-us" class="cdc-theme-cdc cdc-page-type--content" > <head> <meta charset="UTF-8" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=Edge" /> <meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" name="viewport" /> <meta name="mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-capable" content="yes" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/favicon/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/favicon/favicon-32x32.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/favicon/favicon-16x16.png"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/favicon/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#0056b3"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#0056b3"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#0056b3"> <link rel="stylesheet prefetch" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/css/app.min.css?_=79008" /> <link rel="stylesheet" media="print" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/css/print.min.css?_=79008" /> <link rel="manifest" href="/TemplatePackage/5.0/json/manifest.json"> <script src="https://www.cdc.gov/JScript/metrics/topic_levels.js?_=16174"></script> <script src="https://www.cdc.gov/JScript/metrics/adobe/launch/b36c1852e229/2c674008a127/launch-04da70ea688d.min.js?_=16174"></script> <meta property="cdc:template_version" content="5.0"/> <title>Signs and Symptoms of Dementia | Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia | CDC</title> <meta name="description" content="Learn what early signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for."/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Signs and Symptoms of Dementia"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Learn what early signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for."/> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="205691699516606"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia"/> <meta property="og:author" content="CDC"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/media/images/2024/08/Alzheimers-WomanWithWater-1136960111.jpg?_=73254"/> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg"/> <meta property="og:updated_time" content="2024-09-30T10:39:28-04:00"/> <meta property="article:author" content="CDC"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Signs and Symptoms of Dementia"/> <meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Learn what early signs and symptoms of dementia to look out for."/> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@CDCgov"/> <meta name="twitter:creator" content="@CDCgov"/> <meta name="twitter:image:src" content="https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/media/images/2024/08/Alzheimers-WomanWithWater-1136960111.jpg?_=73254"/> <meta name="robots" content="index, archive" /> <meta property="cdc:first_published" content="September 16, 2024"/> <meta property="cdc:last_updated" content="August 14, 2024"/> <meta property="cdc:last_reviewed" content="August 14, 2024"/> <meta property="cdc:content_source" content=""/> <meta property="cdc:maintained_by" content=""/> <meta property="cdc:content_id" content="46" /> <meta property="cdc:build" content="4188" /> <meta property="cdc:version" content="4.24.9" /> <meta property="cdc:page_type" content="cdc_dfe" /> <meta property="cdc:page_origin" content="dfe"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"/> <meta property="cdc:wcms_build" content="4.24.9 - b.4188" /> <meta name="DC.date" content="2024-09-30T10:39:28Z" /> <meta name="cdc:last_published" content="2024-09-30T14:16:12Z" /> <meta property="cdc:dfe_version" content="0.3"/> <meta property="cdc:dfe_content_type" content="cdc_symptoms"/> <meta property="cdc:dfe_content_type_version" content="1.4.0"/> </head> <body class="no-js cdc-post-type--cdc-dfe cdc-dfe-cdc_symptoms"> <div id="skipmenu"> <a class="visually-hidden-focusable" href="#content">Skip directly to site content</a> <a class="visually-hidden-focusable" href="#cdc-search">Skip directly to search</a> </div> <div class="cdc-page-banner container noindex"> <div class="row cdc-site-gov-notice noindex noprint" aria-label="Official website of the United States government"> <div class="col-lg-11"> <div> <img aria-hidden="true" class="usa-banner__header-flag" src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/uswds/us_flag_small.png" alt="U.S. flag" width="16" height="11"> <span>An official website of the United States government</span> </div> <span> <a data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#gov-notice" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="gov-notice"> Here's how you know <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </span> </div> <div class="collapse" id="gov-notice" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-12 col-lg-6"> <img src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/uswds/icon-dot-gov.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true"> <div> <b>Official websites use .gov</b> <p>A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.</p> </div> </div> <div class="col-12 col-lg-6"> <img src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/uswds/icon-https.svg" alt="" aria-hidden="true"> <div> <b>Secure .gov websites use HTTPS</b> <p>A <strong>lock</strong> ( <i class="cdc-icon-lock-01" aria-hidden="true"></i> ) or <strong>https://</strong> means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-cdc-site-alert></div> </div> <header class="container cdc-header noindex" role="banner">  <div class="cdc-header__desktop"> <div class="cdc-page-offset"> <div class="cdc-header__cdc-logo"> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov"> <img src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/logo/logo-notext.svg" alt="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People" /> </a> </div> <div class="cdc-header__body"> <div class="cdc-header__title"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html"> Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia </a> </div> <div class="cdc-header__components">  <div class="cdc-header__menu"> <button class="btn btn-outline-white btn-arrow-down btn-fancy" id="megaButton"> Explore Topics </button> </div> <form action="https://search.cdc.gov/search/" method="GET" class="cdc-header__search" role="search" data-search-input> <a href="#" id="cdc-search__toggle">Search</a> <div class="input-group cdc-header__search__group"> <button class="btn" type="submit" id="cdc-search__submit"><span class="cdc-fa-magnifying-glass"><span class="visually-hidden">Search</span></span></button> <input class="form-control" data-search-input autocomplete="off" type="search" name="query" id="cdc-search__input" maxlength="300" placeholder="Search"> <button class="btn" type="button" id="cdc-search__clear"><span class="cdc-icon-close"><span class="visually-hidden">Clear Input</span></span></button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-megamenu" role="navigation"> <div class="cdc-megamenu__cols cdc-page-offset" role="menu"> <div class="cdc-megamenu__col" data-audience="gen"> <div class="cdc-megamenu__heading"> <a role="menuitem" href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html"> <span>For Everyone</span> <span class="cdc-fa-regular cdc-fa-house"></span> </a> </div> <div class="cdc-megamenu__links"> <ul class="list-unstyled" role="menu"> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="44" href="/alzheimers-dementia/about/index.html"> Dementia Basics </a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="46" href="/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"> Signs and Symptoms of Dementia </a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="49" href="/alzheimers-dementia/prevention/index.html"> Reducing Risk </a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="54" href="/alzheimers-dementia/healthy-people-2030/index.html"> Healthy People 2030: Dementia and Older Adults </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html#gen" class="cdc-megamenu-all"> View all </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-megamenu__col" data-audience="php"> <div class="cdc-megamenu__heading"> <a role="menuitem" href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html#php"> <span>Public Health</span> <span></span> </a> </div> <div class="cdc-megamenu__links"> <ul class="list-unstyled" role="menu"> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="907" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/sdoh/index.html"> Public Health Strategy </a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="56" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/resource-center/index.html"> Tools and Resources </a> </li> <li role="menuitem" class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="1183" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/health-equity/index.html"> Health Equity in Alzheimer's and Dementia </a> </li> <li role="menuitem"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html#php" class="cdc-megamenu-all"> View all </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-megamenu__footer"> <div class="col cdc-page-offset"> <div class="cdc-megamenu-footer-item cdc-megamenu-footer-item--left"> <div class="cdc-megamenu-related"> <p class="cdc-megamenu__footer-title"> <strong> Related Topics: </strong> </p> <div class="cdc-megamenu__linklist"> <a data-post-id="" href="/caregiving/index.html"> Caregiving </a> <span class="cdc-megamenu__separator">|</span> <a data-post-id="" href="/aging-programs/index.html"> Alzheimer's Disease Program </a> <span class="cdc-megamenu__separator">|</span> <a data-post-id="" href="/healthy-aging/index.html"> Healthy Aging </a> <span class="cdc-megamenu__separator">|</span> <a data-post-id="" href="/healthy-aging-data/index.html"> Healthy Aging Data </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-megamenu-footer-item cdc-megamenu-footer-item--right"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html" class="btn btn-outline-blue site-index-link"> View All </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-header-mobile"> <div class="cdc-header-mobile__top"> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov"> <img src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/logo/logo-notext.svg" class="cdc-logo-mobile" alt="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People" /> </a> <div class="cdc-header-mobile__buttons"> <a href="#" class="search-link"> <i class="cdc-fa-regular cdc-fa-magnifying-glass"><span class="visually-hidden">search</span></i> <i class="cdc-fa-regular cdc-fa-xmark"><span class="visually-hidden">close search</span></i> </a> <div class="cdc-mobile-menu-search"> <form action="https://search.cdc.gov/search/" method="GET" id="cdc-mobile-search" role="search" data-search-input> <div class="input-group"> <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn--search" type="button"><i class="cdc-fa-light cdc-fa-magnifying-glass"></i><span class="visually-hidden">search</span></button>  <input class="form-control" data-search-input type="search" name="query" id="cdc-mobile-menu-search__input" maxlength="300" placeholder="Search" required="" tabindex="-1" data-search-input> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-header-mobile__title dropdown "> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html">Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia</a> <a href="#" id="mobileDropDownButton" class="nav-link dropdown-toggle" data-mobile-toggle="open" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-offset="0,20"> <span class="open">Menu <i class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></i></span> <span class="close">Close <i class="cdc-icon-close"></i></span> </a> <div class="dropdown-menu cdc-mobile-menu" role="menu" aria-labelledby="mobileDropDownButton"> <div class="cdc-mobile-menu-search"> <form action="https://search.cdc.gov/search/" method="GET" id="cdc-mobile-search" role="search" data-search-input> <div class="input-group"> <button class="btn btn-outline-secondary btn--search" type="button"><i class="cdc-fa-light cdc-fa-magnifying-glass"></i><span class="visually-hidden">search</span></button>  <input class="form-control" data-search-input type="search" name="query" id="cdc-mobile-menu-search__input" maxlength="300" placeholder="Search" required="" tabindex="-1" data-search-input> </div> </form> </div> <div class="cdc-mobile-menu-body"> <div class="cdc-mobile-audience accordion"> <div class="accordion-item" data-audience="gen"> <div class="accordion-header"> <button class="accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#mobilemenu-gen"> <span class="accordion-button__text"> For Everyone </span> </button> </div> <div class="accordion-collpase collapse" id="mobilemenu-gen"> <div class="accordion-body"> <ul> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="44" href="/alzheimers-dementia/about/index.html"> Dementia Basics </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="46" href="/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"> Signs and Symptoms of Dementia </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="49" href="/alzheimers-dementia/prevention/index.html"> Reducing Risk </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="54" href="/alzheimers-dementia/healthy-people-2030/index.html"> Healthy People 2030: Dementia and Older Adults </a> </li> <li> <span class="item-link item-link--all"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html#gen"> View All </a> </span> <span class="item-link item-link--home"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html"> Home </a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item" data-audience="php"> <div class="accordion-header"> <button class="accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#mobilemenu-php"> <span class="accordion-button__text"> Public Health </span> </button> </div> <div class="accordion-collpase collapse" id="mobilemenu-php"> <div class="accordion-body"> <ul> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="907" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/sdoh/index.html"> Public Health Strategy </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="56" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/resource-center/index.html"> Tools and Resources </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="1183" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/health-equity/index.html"> Health Equity in Alzheimer's and Dementia </a> </li> <li> <span class="item-link item-link--all"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html#php"> View All </a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="accordion-item accordion-item__related"> <div class="accordion-header"> <button class="accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#mobilemenu-related"> <span class="accordion-button__text">Related Topics</span> </button> </div> <div class="accordion-collpase collapse" id="mobilemenu-related"> <div class="accordion-body"> <ul> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="" href="/caregiving/index.html"> Caregiving </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="" href="/aging-programs/index.html"> Alzheimer's Disease Program </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="" href="/healthy-aging/index.html"> Healthy Aging </a> </li> <li class="truncate"> <a data-post-id="" href="/healthy-aging-data/index.html"> Healthy Aging Data </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-mobile-menu-footer"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html"> <span> View All </span> <span>Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-header-mobile__faux-title" aria-hidden="true"> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-mobile-navbar"> <div class="cdc-mobile-navbar__paging"> </div> <div class="cdc-mobile-navbar__links" tabindex="-1"> <a data-post-id="44" href="/alzheimers-dementia/about/index.html" tabindex="0"> Dementia Basics </a> <a data-post-id="46" href="/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html" tabindex="0"> Signs and Symptoms of Dementia </a> <a data-post-id="49" href="/alzheimers-dementia/prevention/index.html" tabindex="0"> Reducing Risk </a> <a data-post-id="54" href="/alzheimers-dementia/healthy-people-2030/index.html" tabindex="0"> Healthy People 2030: Dementia and Older Adults </a> <a class="view-all" href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html"> View All </a> </div> </div> </header> <main class="container cdc-main" role="main" aria-label="Main Content Area"> <section class="cdc-page-title-bar cdc-page-offset noindex"> <time class="cdc-page-title-bar__item cdc-page-title-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-08-14 04:00:00"> August 14, 2024 </time> </section> <div class="cdc-page-title cdc-page-offset syndicate"> <h1>Signs and Symptoms of Dementia</h1> </div> <div id="content" class="cdc-page-content cdc-page-offset syndicate container"> <div class="cdc-dfe-body "> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__top "> <div class="dfe-section dfe-section--page-summary summary-list" data-section="cdc_symptoms_page_summary"> <div class="dfe-section__header"> <h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-nxystinfgl">What to know</h2> </div> <div class="dfe-section__content"> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">It is common to experience changes in functioning as we get older, including some changes in memory.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">But dementia—which blocks a person's ability to remember, think clearly, or make daily decisions—is NOT a normal part of aging.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Learn the common signs and symptoms of dementia, and how they differ from normal aging.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <div class="dfe-section__nav hide" id="dfe-section__nav"> <div class="dfe-section__nav__header" id="dfe-section__nav__header"> </div> <div class="dfe-section__nav-links" id="dfe-section__nav-links"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dfe-section__image" id="page-summary-image"> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="image-container calculated-ratio-16-9 aspect-ratio-16-9"><img src="/alzheimers-dementia/media/images/2024/08/Alzheimers-WomanWithWater-1136960111.jpg" alt="Asian woman holds plastic bottle of water to her face to cool." title="Woman with Water Bottle"></div></figure> </div> <div id="nav-buttons"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__center "> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_symptoms_section_1"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_symptoms_section_1-dementia-vs-normal-aging" name="Dementia%20vs.%20normal%20aging" title="Dementia vs. normal aging"></a><h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-tiwwgmxh2k">Dementia vs. normal aging</h2> <p>A <a href="https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/health/info-2021/dementia-diagnosis-stigma.html" class="tp-link-policy" rel="noreferrer" data-domain-ext="org">recent survey<span class="visually-hidden sr-only" aria-label=" external icon" role="img"></span><span class="cdc-icon-external cdc-link-icon" aria-hidden="true" alt="external icon"></span></a> revealed that nearly half of adults aged 40 and older think they will likely develop dementia.<sup>[1]</sup></p> <p>An estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with dementia. That is about 1 in 9 people (10.9%) of the U.S. population.<span class="cdc-references-cite"><a class="cdc-references-cite__link" href="#cdcreference_1" aria-label="Reference link 1">1</a></span></p> <p>The truth is, dementia is not a normal part of normal aging. Many older adults live their entire lives without developing dementia. </p> <p>Normal aging may include weakening muscles and bones, stiffening arteries and vessels, and some age-related memory changes.</p> <h3 id="heading-yfjyelv81o">Normal age-related memory changes</h3> <p>As we get older, normal memory changes may include:</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Forgetting where you put your car keys sometimes.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Struggling to find a word but remembering it later.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Forgetting the name of an acquaintance.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Forgetting the most recent events.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>These subtle changes can be frustrating. But they should not affect your daily life. </p> <p>With normal aging, your overall memory, thought, and brain functions stay intact. This includes: </p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">The knowledge and experiences you gained over years.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Old memories.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Language.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_symptoms_section_2"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_symptoms_section_2-what-to-look-out-for" name="What%20to%20look%20out%20for" title="What to look out for"></a><h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-4vyewxakzo">What to look out for</h2> <p>There are many types of dementia that cause problems remembering, thinking, or making daily decisions. Dementia symptoms can vary widely from person to person.</p> <h3 id="heading-uqgr0wdukl">Symptoms</h3> <p>People with dementia have problems with one or more of these things:</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Memory.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Attention.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Communication.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Reasoning, judgment, and problem solving.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Vision problems such as depth perception, processing visual cues, or recognizing objects.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3 id="heading-myhwadvjmt">Telltale signs</h3> <p>Signs that may point to dementia include:</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Forgetting the name of a close family member or friend.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Forgetting old memories.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Not being able to complete common tasks on your own.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>See your health care provider if you notice any of these signs or symptoms. The sooner you can figure out what’s causing these changes the sooner you can work with your provider to get a diagnosis and figure out next steps.</p> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_symptoms_seek_help"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_symptoms_seek_help-when-to-talk-to-your-doctor" name="When%20to%20talk%20to%20your%20doctor" title="When to talk to your doctor"></a><h2 class="editor-block--title" id="heading-cih7hxqzkd">When to talk to your doctor</h2> <p>What to do if you think you might have Dementia</p> <p>Talk to your health care provider to see if your symptoms are related to dementia or a more treatable condition. Early and accurate diagnosis may help slow the progression and alleviate some symptoms. Early diagnosis also allows you and your family to consider:</p> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Treatment options.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Financial planning.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Developing advance directives.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Enrolling in clinical trials.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Anticipating any care needs.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__right page-right-rail"> <aside class="page-right-rail__static noindex" role="complementary"> <div class="on-this-page " data-sid=""> <h2 class="on-this-page__heading"> On This Page </h2> <div class="card-body"> <ul> <li><a href="#cdc_symptoms_section_1-dementia-vs-normal-aging">Dementia vs. normal aging</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_symptoms_section_2-what-to-look-out-for">What to look out for</a></li> <li><a href="#cdc_symptoms_seek_help-when-to-talk-to-your-doctor">When to talk to your doctor</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> <aside class="page-right-rail__dynamic noindex" role="complementary"> <div data-related-nav></div> </aside> </div> </div> <div data-journey-next></div> <section class="container page-mobile-bar"> <time class="page-mobile-bar__item page-mobile-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-08-14 00:00:00"> August 14, 2024 </time> </section> <div class="page-content-sources noindex"> <div class="page-content-sources__header"> <a data-action="summary" class="collapsed" href="#content-sources" role="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="content-sources" data-cs-toggle="">Sources</a> <a data-action="print" href="#print" class="d-none d-md-block" aria-label="print this page" onclick="window.print()">Print</a> <a data-action="share" href="#share" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-label="share this page" aria-expanded="false">Share</a> <div class="dropdown-menu page-share-bar" data-popper-placement="bottom-start"> <a href="#" class="page-share-facebook"><span class="cdc-icon-facebook"></span></a> <a href="#" class="page-share-linkedin"><span class="cdc-icon-linkedin"></span></a> <a href="#" class="page-share-twitter"><span class="cdc-icon-twitter"></span></a> <a href="#" class="page-share-syndication"><span class="cdc-icon-rss"></span></a> </div> </div> <div class="page-share-container"> <div class="page-share-popup" id="page-share-popup" role="dialog"> <a target="_blank" title="Share to Facebook" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="page-share-facebook metrics-share-facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov"> <span class="sr-only">Facebook</span> <span class="cdc-icon-facebook-inverse"></span> </a> <a target="_blank" title="Share to LinkedIn" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="page-share-linkedin metrics-share-linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov&title=Living%20with%20High%20Blood%20Pressure"> <span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span> <span class="cdc-icon-linkedin-inverse"></span> </a> <a target="_blank" title="Share to Twitter" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="page-share-twitter metrics-share-twitter" href="https://twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov&text=Living%20with%20High%20Blood%20Pressure"> <span class="sr-only">Twitter</span> <span class="cdc-icon-twitter-inverse"></span> </a> <a target="_blank" title="Embed this Page" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="page-share-syndication metrics-share-syndicate" href="https://tools.cdc.gov/medialibrary/index.aspx#/sharecontent/https://https://www.cdc.gov/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"> <span class="sr-only">Syndicate</span> <span class="fi cdc-icon-syndication-round"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div id="content-sources" class="page-content-sources__body accordion-collapse collapse"> <div class="callout callout-content-source" role="status"> <div class="callout-heading">Content Source:</div> <a class="cdc-block-link" href="/nccdphp/index.html">National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion</a> </div> <div class="page-content-sources__section page-content-sources__section--references"><label for="page_references">References</label><ol id="page_references"><li id="cdcreference_1">Alzheimer's Association. 2024 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimers Dement 2024;20(5) Accessed August 17, 2024. <a href="https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf" class="ce-selection tp-link-policy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-domain-ext="org">https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf<span aria-label=" pdf icon" role="img" class="sr-only"></span><span class="cdc-link-icon cdc-link-icon--pdf" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="visually-hidden sr-only" aria-label=" external icon" role="img"></span><span class="cdc-icon-external cdc-link-icon" aria-hidden="true" alt="external icon"></span></a></li></ol></div> <div class="page-content-sources__section page-content-sources__section--sources"><label for="page_sources">Sources</label><ul id="page_sources"><li>Mehegan L, Rainville C. <em>2021 AARP Survey on the Perceptions Related to a Dementia Diagnosis: Adults Age 40+.</em> AARP Research; 2021. <a href="https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00471.001" class="ce-selection tp-link-policy" rel="noreferrer" data-domain-ext="org">https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00471.001<span class="visually-hidden sr-only" aria-label=" external icon" role="img"></span><span class="cdc-icon-external cdc-link-icon" aria-hidden="true" alt="external icon"></span></a></li></ul></div> </div> </div> <section class="container related-pages related-pages__mobile"> <div data-related-nav-mobile></div> </section> </div> </main> <section class="site-footer container noindex"> <div class="row cdc-footer__inner"> <div class="col-lg-3 site-footer__heading"> <h2> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html"> <i class="cdc-icon cdc-fa-solid cdc-fa-house"></i> <span class="cdc-footer__super-title" aria-label="Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia"> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html"> Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia </a> <i class="cdc-icon cdc-fa-light cdc-fa-angle-right"></i> </span> </a> </h2> <p>Dementia is not a specific disease. It is a general term for having trouble remembering, thinking, or making decisions that affect everyday activities.</p> <a href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html" class="btn-outline__half btn btn-outline-white btn-arrow"> View All </a> </div> <div class="col-lg-8 offset-lg-1"> <div class="row site-footer__links"> <div class="col-md-6">  <h3 class="site-footer__links__header"> <a class="cdc-footer__super-link" href="/alzheimers-dementia/index.html#gen"> <span>For Everyone</span> <span class="cdc-icon cdc-fa-light cdc-fa-angle-right"></span> </a> </h3> <ul> <li> <a data-post-id="44" href="/alzheimers-dementia/about/index.html"> Dementia Basics </a> </li> <li> <a data-post-id="46" href="/alzheimers-dementia/signs-symptoms/index.html"> Signs and Symptoms of Dementia </a> </li> <li> <a data-post-id="49" href="/alzheimers-dementia/prevention/index.html"> Reducing Risk </a> </li> <li> <a data-post-id="54" href="/alzheimers-dementia/healthy-people-2030/index.html"> Healthy People 2030: Dementia and Older Adults </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-6"> <div class="audience-column"> <h3 class="site-footer__links__header"> <a class="cdc-footer__super-link" href="/alzheimers-dementia/site.html#php"> <span>Public Health</span> <span class="cdc-icon cdc-fa-light cdc-fa-angle-right"></span> </a> </h3> <ul> <li> <a data-post-id="907" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/sdoh/index.html"> Public Health Strategy </a> </li> <li> <a data-post-id="56" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/resource-center/index.html"> Tools and Resources </a> </li> <li> <a data-post-id="1183" href="/alzheimers-dementia/php/health-equity/index.html"> Health Equity in Alzheimer's and Dementia </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row site-footer__emailupdates"> <div class="col"> <i class="cdc-fa-regular cdc-fa-envelope" role="img" aria-hidden="true"></i> <a href="https://tools.cdc.gov/campaignproxyservice/subscriptions.aspx#featured">Sign up for Email Updates</a> <i class="cdc-fa-light cdc-fa-angle-right" role="img" aria-hidden="true"></i> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <footer class="container cdc-footer noindex" role="contentinfo"> <section class="cdc-footer__desktop"> <nav class="cdc-footer__nav" id="cdc-footer-nav"> <div class="row cdc-footer__inner"> <div class="col"> <a id="contactUs-btn" class="cdc-footer__nav-link" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#contactUs" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="contactUs"> Contact Us <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav collapse" id="contactUs" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="contactUs-btn" tabindex="-1"> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav-inner"> <a class="cdc-footer__nav-heading" href="https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html">Contact Us <span class="cdc-fa-angle-right"></span></a> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="tel:800-232-4636">Call 800-232-4636</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html">Contact CDC</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <a id="aboutCDC-btn" class="cdc-footer__nav-link" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#aboutCDC" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="aboutCDC"> About CDC <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav collapse" id="aboutCDC" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="aboutCDC-btn" tabindex="-1"> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav-inner"> <a class="cdc-footer__nav-heading" href="/about/">About CDC <span class="cdc-fa-angle-right"></span></a> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="/about/organization/">Organization</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/budget/">Budget & Funding</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://jobs.cdc.gov/index.html">Careers & Jobs</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <a id="policies-btn" class="cdc-footer__nav-link" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#policies" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="policies"> Policies <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav collapse" id="policies" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="policies-btn" tabindex="-1"> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav-inner"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.html#exit-notification">External Links</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/privacy.html">Privacy</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/Other/policies.html">Web Policies</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/foia/">FOIA</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://oig.hhs.gov/">OIG</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/oeeowe/nofearact/">No Fear Act</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/nondiscrimination.html">Nondiscrimination</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a id="languages-btn" class="cdc-footer__nav-link" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#languages" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="languages"> Languages <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav collapse" id="languages" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="languages-btn" tabindex="-1"> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav-inner"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-2"> <a href="https://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/other-languages?Sort=Lang%3A%3Aasc" class="cdc-footer__nav-heading">Languages</a> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/">Español</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-10"> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html" class="cdc-footer__nav-heading">Language Assistance</a> <div class="row"> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Spanish">Español</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Chinese">繁體中文</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Vietnamese">Tiếng Việt</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Korean">한국어</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Tagalog">Tagalog</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Russian">Русский</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Arabic">العربية</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Haitian">Kreyòl Ayisyen</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#French">Français</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Polish">Polski</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Portuguese">Português</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Italian">Italiano</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-lg-3"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#German">Deutsch</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Japanese">日本語</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Farsi">فارسی</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#English">English</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a id="archive-btn" class="cdc-footer__nav-link" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#archive" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="archive"> Archive <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav collapse" id="archive" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav" aria-labelledby="archive-btn" tabindex="-1"> <div class="cdc-footer__subnav-inner"> <ul> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://archive.cdc.gov/">CDC Archive</a></li> <li><a class="cdc-footer__subnav-link" href="https://stacks.cdc.gov/">Public Health Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </section> <section class="cdc-footer__mobile"> <nav class="cdc-footer__nav"> <div class="row cdc-footer__inner"> <div class="col"> <a class="cdc-footer__heading" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#mobile-footer-contactUs" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mobile-footer-contactUs"> Contact Us <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__group col offset-lg-1 collapse" id="mobile-footer-contactUs"> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html" class="cdc-footer__nav-heading">Contact Us</a> <span class="cdc-fa-angle-right"></span> <ul> <li><a href="tel:800-232-4636">Call 800-232-4636</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html">Contact CDC</a></li> </ul> </div> <a class="cdc-footer__heading" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#mobile-footer-aboutCDC" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mobile-footer-aboutCDC"> About CDC <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__group col offset-lg-1 collapse" id="mobile-footer-aboutCDC"> <ul> <li><a href="/about/organization/">Organization</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/budget/">Budget & Funding</a></li> <li><a href="https://jobs.cdc.gov/index.html">Careers & Jobs</a></li> <li><a href="/about/">About CDC</a></li> </ul> </div> <a class="cdc-footer__heading" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#mobile-footer-policies" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mobile-footer-policies"> Policies <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__group col offset-lg-1 collapse" id="mobile-footer-policies" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav"> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.html#exit-notification">External Links</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/privacy.html">Privacy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/Other/policies.html">Web Policies</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/foia/">FOIA</a></li> <li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/">OIG</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/oeeowe/nofearact/">No Fear Act</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/nondiscrimination.html">Nondiscrimination</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">Vulnerability Disclosure Policy</a></li> </ul> </div> <a class="cdc-footer__heading" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#mobile-footer-languages" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mobile-footer-languages"> Languages <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__group col offset-lg-1 collapse" id="mobile-footer-languages" data-bs-parent="#cdc-footer-nav"> <p class="cdc-footer__nav-heading">Languages <span class="cdc-fa-angle-right"></span></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/">Español</a></li> </ul> <p class="cdc-footer__nav-heading">Language Assistance <span class="cdc-fa-angle-right"></span></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Spanish">Español</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Chinese">繁體中文</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Vietnamese">Tiếng Việt</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Korean">한국어</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Tagalog">Tagalog</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Russian">Русский</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Arabic">العربية</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Haitian">Kreyòl Ayisyen</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#French">Français</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Polish">Polski</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Portuguese">Português</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Italian">Italiano</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#German">Deutsch</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Japanese">日本語</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#Farsi">فارسی</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/other/language-assistance.html#English">English</a></li> </ul> </div> <a class="cdc-footer__heading" data-bs-toggle="collapse" href="#mobile-footer-archive" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="mobile-footer-archive"> Archive <span class="cdc-fa-angle-down"></span> </a> <div class="cdc-footer__group col offset-lg-1 collapse" id="mobile-footer-archive"> <ul> <li><a href="https://archive.cdc.gov/">CDC Archive</a></li> <li><a href="https://stacks.cdc.gov/">Public Health Publications</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </section> <div class="cdc-footer__body"> <div class="row cdc-footer__inner"> <div class="col-lg-3 cdc-footer__body-logo"> <a href="/"> <img src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/img/logo/cdc-logo-tag-right.svg" alt="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" /> </a> </div> <div class="col-lg-7 cdc-footer__body-social"> <div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CDC"> <i role="img" aria-label="facebook icon" class="cdc-icon-facebook"></i> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCgov"> <i role="img" aria-label="x icon" class="cdc-icon-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/CDCgov"> <i role="img" aria-label="instagram icon" class="cdc-icon-instagram"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention"> <i role="img" aria-label="linkedin icon" class="cdc-icon-linkedin"></i> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/cdc"> <i role="img" aria-label="youtube icon" class="cdc-icon-youtube"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/cdcgov"> <i role="img" aria-label="pinterest icon" class="cdc-icon-pinterest"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.snapchat.com/add/cdcgov"> <i role="img" aria-label="snapchat icon" class="cdc-icon-snapchat"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/rss"> <i role="img" aria-label="rss icon" class="cdc-icon-rss"></i> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-footer__agency"> <div class="row cdc-footer__inner"> <div class="col-lg-12"> <a href="https://hhs.gov">HHS.gov</a> <a href="https://usa.gov">USA.gov</a> </div> </div> </div> </footer>  <div class="cdc-page-progress-bar d-none noindex"> <div class="cdc-page-progress-bar__scrubber"></div> </div>  <a href="#" class="cdc-page-to-top d-none noindex noprint" title="Go to top"> <div class="cdc-page-to-top__bar"><i class="cdc-fa-solid cdc-fa-arrow-up"></i></div> </a> <script src="/config/cdc_config.js"></script> <script>var CDC_POST={"id":"1876_46","type":"cdc_dfe","context":"1876-2","lang":"en","audience":"gen","tax":{"cdc_topics":["d130dbda-56f6-48d1-9736-11adecf7b6f5","e0413d8d-265a-42cb-afd0-fda5865c5033"],"cdc_categories":["f99c55f7-123e-4fd7-a629-95c9340c264d"],"cdc_audiences":["8de1299b-beee-47ff-a33e-3ab1d2f97e0c"],"cdc_populations":["9b1ad1ef-26b9-4bc6-b8de-2f092f505380"]}};</script> <script src="/TemplatePackage/contrib/libs/bootstrap/5x/bootstrap.bundle.min.js?_=79008"></script> <script src="/TemplatePackage/contrib/libs/jquery/latest/jquery.js?_=79008"></script> <script src="/TemplatePackage/5.0/js/app.js?_=79008"></script> <script></script> <script> </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia | Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia | CDC