See your doctor if you notice a few of these signs: Memory loss — forgetting things that should be familiar, and not remembering them later. Difficulty with familiar tasks — for example, making a meal then forgetting to eat it. Language problems — forgetting simple words or substituting the wrong word. Disorientation of time and place — for example, forgetting how to get home. Poor judgement — such as making risky moves when driving. Problems with abstract thinking — such as counting and doing finances. Misplacing things — putting things in the wrong place. Changes in mood or behaviour — such as rapid mood swings for no apparent reason. Changes in personality — becoming more suspicious, fearful, uninhibited or outgoing than before. Loss of initiative — becoming more passive or uninvolved in activities. It’s important not to assume someone has dementia based on these symptoms alone. Other conditions can also cause dementia-like symptoms , for example: depression delirium infections hormone imbalances poor diet Many of these other conditions can be successfully treated.