When is forgetfulness in the elderly no longer normal?

“Where did I put my keys?”, “I forgot what I was going to say”… These seemingly harmless and familiar questions can be early signs of cognitive decline, an increasingly common health problem.

Cognitive decline in the elderly is not simply forgetfulness - Photo: AI

MSc. Nguyen Van Hai - Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital - said this is not simply a "confusion" of old age, but could be an early warning of many dangerous diseases.

When is forgetfulness no longer normal?

According to Dr. Hai, cognitive decline is becoming a serious health problem globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are currently about 55 million people living with dementia and each year this number increases by nearly 10 million new cases.

"At Bach Mai Hospital, we have seen a marked increase in the number of patients coming for examination and treatment for problems related to cognitive impairment. This is an alarming situation that requires proper attention from the community," Dr. Hai shared.

Many people assume that memory loss is an inevitable part of aging. However, the line between normal forgetfulness and pathological cognitive decline is very thin.

Dr. Hai emphasized that cognitive decline is a decline in thinking ability, memory, language, problem-solving ability... beyond the normal level of the natural aging process.

Forgetfulness due to normal aging	Forgetfulness due to cognitive impairment
Sometimes forget names of acquaintances, forget where I put things.	Often forget events and information just learned.
Can be recalled later or when prompted	Very difficult or impossible to recall even when prompted
Does not seriously affect work and daily life	Significant impact on life, work and independence
For example, when you forget the name of an old friend, but after a short time or with prompting, you can remember it yourself.	For example: Forgetting how to use familiar devices such as phones and microwaves

Early warning signs

According to Dr. Hai, early recognition of the signs of cognitive decline is extremely important. If you or a loved one has the following symptoms, pay special attention:

Memory loss affects life: Constantly asking the same story over and over again, forgetting recent important events, relying more on memory tools.

Difficulty planning, problem solving: Having trouble following a familiar recipe, difficulty managing personal finances, forgetting to pay bills.

Confusion about time and space: Not remembering what day or season it is; getting lost in very familiar places like your neighborhood.

Language difficulties : Difficulty finding the right words to express oneself, calling objects by the wrong names (e.g., calling a clock "the time teller"), stopping suddenly in the middle of a conversation.

Losing things and not being able to find them: Frequently leaving things in unusual places (e.g., leaving a wallet in the microwave) and then accusing others of stealing them because they can't remember.

Impaired judgment: Making poor financial decisions (maybe investing money in useless things, or donating large sums to untrustworthy strangers), wearing clothes inappropriate for the weather.

Mood and personality changes: Becoming unusually irritable, restless, suspicious, depressed, or apathetic.

Withdrawal from work and social activities: Loss of interest in hobbies, avoiding family and friends gatherings because of difficulty communicating.

"Early detection is vital. It opens up opportunities for timely intervention, slowing the progression of the disease and helping patients and their families to be best prepared," Dr. Hai emphasized.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/khi-nao-chung-hay-quen-o-nguoi-cao-tuoi-khong-con-la-chuyen-binh-thuong-20250904100102748.htm