Memory & Dementia
What Happens After a Dementia Assessment?
Amarish Dave, DO explains what happens after a dementia assessment: reviewing results, looking for the cause, determining a diagnosis and building a treatment plan.
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Signs of Dementia: When Memory Changes May Be More Than Normal Aging
Amarish Dave, DO, Board-Certified Neurologist, explains important signs that memory or thinking changes may be more than normal aging.
Written and medically reviewed by Amarish Dave, DO, board-certified neurologist. This page is educational and does not replace an individual medical evaluation.
Signs of Dementia
Memory changes deserve attention when they go beyond occasionally misplacing keys or briefly forgetting a name. Signs that may point to something more than normal aging include:
- Repeating questions or stories
- Forgetting recent conversations or events
- Difficulty managing medications, finances, or appointments
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Increasing word-finding difficulty
- Changes in judgment, behavior, or personality
- Memory or thinking problems that interfere with everyday independence
When Should Memory Problems Be Evaluated?
Occasional forgetfulness can occur with normal aging. But progressive cognitive changes—especially those affecting everyday function such as managing medications, finances, or appointments—should be medically evaluated. An evaluation clarifies what is changing and why; you can read more in our memory and dementia care guide, our overviews of dementia evaluation and memory testing, and what tests are ordered for dementia.
It is also important to know that memory problems are not automatically dementia. Sleep disorders, medications, depression, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, and other medical conditions can sometimes contribute to cognitive symptoms, which is part of why a careful evaluation looks for causes that may be treatable. Learn how memory changes are distinguished in normal aging vs dementia and what happens during a dementia assessment, including how findings are reviewed and a diagnosis is determined in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions.
Families in Illinois can also find practical, caregiver-focused guidance in the free Illinois Dementia Guide.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the early signs of dementia?
- Common signs include repeating questions or stories, forgetting recent conversations or events, difficulty managing medications or finances, getting lost in familiar places, worsening word-finding difficulty, and changes in judgment, behavior, or personality.
- Is forgetting things a normal part of aging?
- Occasional forgetfulness can occur with normal aging. The concern is with progressive changes—problems that keep getting worse or begin to affect everyday independence. Those changes deserve a medical evaluation.
- Can memory problems be caused by something other than dementia?
- Yes. Sleep disorders, medications, depression, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, and other medical conditions can sometimes contribute to cognitive symptoms. This is part of why an evaluation looks for treatable causes.
- When should a loved one be evaluated for memory problems?
- When memory or thinking changes are progressive, interfere with daily function or independence, or worry family members. Early evaluation helps identify the cause and plan appropriate care.
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Memory & Dementia
What Is the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia?
Amarish Dave, DO explains the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease—dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms, while Alzheimer's is its most common cause.
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If a Parent Has Alzheimer's, Does That Mean You Will Get Dementia?
Amarish Dave, DO explains why a parent's Alzheimer's diagnosis raises risk but does not determine your future, and what APOE and rare inherited forms mean.
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What Is Frontotemporal Dementia?
Amarish Dave, DO explains frontotemporal dementia (FTD): early changes in personality, behavior, judgment and language, how it differs from Alzheimer's disease, and how it is evaluated.
Watch VideoSubscribe to the NeurologistCare YouTube channel for more short answers to common neurology questions.
Concerned about memory changes?
NeurologistCare provides memory and dementia evaluations in Crystal Lake and Woodstock, Illinois, and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Telehealth is also available for appropriate patients located in Illinois or Wisconsin.
Schedule a Memory Evaluation
Choose the scheduling line for the state where you will be located for your appointment.
In-Person Neurology Visits
Available at three office locations:
Crystal Lake, Illinois
Woodstock, Illinois
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Telehealth Neurology Visits
Telehealth neurology appointments are available to patients located anywhere in Illinois or Wisconsin. You do not need to live near an office, but you must be physically located in Illinois or Wisconsin at the time of the appointment.
Learn about telehealth neurology →Call to schedule
Illinois appointments: 815-337-7100. Wisconsin appointments: 262-245-0535.
Choose your visit
Our office will confirm whether an in-person or telehealth visit is appropriate and provide the details.
Insurance and referrals
Insurance participation and referral requirements vary by plan. Our office will confirm what your plan requires before your visit.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention.