Normal age-related forgetfulness may include temporarily forgetting an appointment, struggling to recall a word, or misplacing an object but finding it by retracing one’s steps. It is a progressive decline in memory, reasoning, judgment, or other mental abilities severe enough to disrupt daily activities. Increasing withdrawal from family activities, unexplained irritability, suspiciousness, poor personal hygiene, or loss of interest in longtime hobbies should not automatically be dismissed as normal aging. Email newsletter signupA medical assessment may include a history from the patient and family, medication review, physical examination, brief cognitive testing, blood tests, and sometimes brain imaging. Forgetfulness alone does not mean dementia.