Lifestyle

Getting Lost on a Familiar Route Can Be an Early Sign of Dementia. How It Differs From Normal Forgetfulness

By Mike Harper · October 30, 2026

Forgetting a name now and then is a normal part of getting older. Becoming lost on the drive to a store you have visited for years is a different kind of lapse, and health experts say it is one worth taking to a doctor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists getting lost in a familiar neighborhood among the telltale signs that may point to dementia. The National Institute on Aging includes getting lost in places you used to know well among the signs that it might be time to talk with a doctor. The Alzheimer’s Association says people with memory changes from Alzheimer’s or other dementia sometimes have trouble driving to a familiar location, and may forget where they are or how they got there.

The NIA says many people notice they don’t remember information as well as they once did and can’t recall it as quickly. They may occasionally misplace things or forget to pay a bill. These are usually signs of mild forgetfulness, not a serious memory problem, the institute says. The CDC adds that dementia is not a normal part of aging and that many older adults live their entire lives without developing it.

The difference often comes down to how much a lapse disrupts daily life. The CDC says normal memory changes can be frustrating but should not affect your daily life. Here is how the NIA and the Alzheimer’s Association compare common situations.

Names and appointments. Sometimes forgetting a name or appointment but remembering it later is a typical age-related change, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. A warning sign is forgetting recently learned information, asking the same questions over and over, or relying more and more on notes or family members for things you used to handle on your own.

Bills and money. Missing a monthly payment is normal aging, the NIA says. Problems taking care of monthly bills, or making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time, can point to dementia.

Dates and time. Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later is normal. Losing track of the date or time of year is not, according to the NIA.

Words and conversation. Sometimes forgetting which word to use is typical. Trouble having a conversation, or calling a familiar object by the wrong name, is a sign to note.

Lost items. Losing things from time to time is normal. Misplacing things often and being unable to retrace your steps to find them can be a sign of dementia.

Other changes can show up as well. The NIA lists trouble following recipes or directions, becoming more confused about time, people and places, and not taking care of yourself, such as eating poorly or not bathing. The Alzheimer’s Association adds pulling away from hobbies and social activities, and mood or personality changes such as becoming suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.

Not every memory problem is dementia. The NIA says medical conditions such as depression or blood clots can cause memory problems that usually go away once the condition is treated. Other possible causes it lists include thyroid, kidney or liver problems, medication side effects, alcohol misuse, sleep problems and low levels of nutrients such as vitamin B12.

That is one reason to get checked early. The CDC advises talking with a health care provider to see whether symptoms are related to dementia or a more treatable condition, and says early diagnosis gives families time to consider treatment options, financial planning and future care needs.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor if you or someone close to you notices changes in memory or thinking. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.