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Quote of the Day
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Interesting Stories This Week
Is Forgetting the Odd Word Normal Ageing — or a Sign of Dementia?
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You asked. We listened. Here’s what’s next…
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Interesting Stories This Week:
INmune Bio's Alzheimer's drug misses mid-stage goal, shares sink to record low
New scheme helps find missing people with dementia
Innovative home monitoring service aims to improve care for patients with dementia
Dementia is rare in midlife rugby players, but long-term risk may be increased
One change in how you speak could be an early red flag of dementia
Is Forgetting the Odd Word Normal Ageing — or a Sign of Dementia?
We’ve all had those moments — a familiar word is suddenly on the tip of your tongue, but it just won’t come out. It can be frustrating, and for many, it raises an unsettling question: is this normal ageing, or something more serious?
According to Dr Richard Restak, neuropsychiatrist and author of How to Prevent Dementia, there are four key warning signs of dementia — what he calls the “4 A’s”:
1️⃣ Amnesia – forgetting things, especially recent events
2️⃣ Agnosia – difficulty correctly understanding or recognising information
3️⃣ Apraxia – trouble organising thoughts or movements in the right order
4️⃣ Aphasia – struggling to understand or use the right words (for example, rambling or losing track of speech)
It’s that last one, Aphasia, that often causes concern when people notice themselves forgetting words.
A recent academic study looked at this in detail, exploring the connection between word-finding difficulties (WFD) and cognitive decline. Interestingly, it found that the length of a pause when trying to recall a word wasn’t the most important sign — instead, researchers focused on how fluent and clear a person’s speech was once they resumed talking.
So, does that mean speaking slowly could be an early warning sign of dementia?
Not at all. The researchers stressed that the link isn’t that simple. Some people naturally speak more slowly or carefully, and word-finding struggles can also stem from stress, tiredness, anxiety, or simply getting older.
The takeaway: occasional word slips are a normal part of life — even for those with sharp minds. However, if word-finding problems become frequent or start to disrupt daily conversations, it may be worth discussing with a GP or memory specialist.
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
“Dad keeps putting the kettle on without any water in it. Yesterday, I found it smoking. When I told him he’d done it wrong, he got upset and said I was treating him like a child. I don’t want to embarrass him, but I’m scared something bad will happen if I don’t say anything.”
Harvey says:
That’s one of the hardest parts of caregiving, wanting to keep someone safe without taking away their dignity. It’s a delicate balance, and every carer faces this at some point.
The key thing to remember is that Alzheimer’s changes how people process information and emotion, so even gentle correction can feel confusing or threatening. When you tell someone they’ve ‘done something wrong,’ it can trigger frustration or shame, not because they’re stubborn, but because their brain is trying to make sense of a situation it no longer fully understands.
Instead of correcting directly, try redirecting or reframing. For example, instead of saying, “You didn’t fill the kettle,” you might say, “Let’s top this up with water together before we turn it on.” You’re still solving the safety issue, but in a way that feels collaborative rather than critical.
Also, it’s okay to make small adjustments behind the scenes — unplugging the kettle when not in use, or swapping to an auto shut-off model — so you can reduce risk without confrontation.
Most importantly, don’t be hard on yourself. Wanting to protect your loved one shows care, not control. It’s a constant learning process, and the fact that you’re asking how to do it kindly means you’re already approaching it with the compassion that matters most.
Harvey
If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.