Early Signs of Cognitive Decline You Shouldn’t Ignore

The term “cognitive decline” encompasses a wide spectrum of neurological statuses. On one end of the spectrum, we find mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that can become more commonplace as we age. Individuals living with this early stage of memory or cognitive ability loss may experience an increased risk of developing a more severe condition. These conditions, including many forms of dementia, lie on the other end of the spectrum. But what are the signs of cognitive decline, and when should you become concerned?

Signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)

Symptoms of MCI often include:

• Increased forgetfulness. You may take longer to recall someone’s name, miss an important date such as a close friend’s birthday, or blank on a scheduled appointment.
• Interrupted train of thought. This often occurs during conversations or when engaging with entertainment (movies, television, books). You may find yourself rereading the same paragraph two, three, or more times.
• Decision-making stress. Becoming overwhelmed at the thought of making a decision, whether major or insignificant in nature, can be an indication of MCI.
• Confusion in the day-to-day. Many people with MCI start to feel uncertain about “next steps” or understanding instructions.
• Trouble navigating familiar environments. Getting lost on a familiar or frequently traveled route might indicate MCI is present.
• Impulsivity. Acting without thinking things through or expressing poor judgment in certain situations may also be a sign of MCI
• Mental health challenges. Individuals with MCI may present with depression, anxiety, apathy, irritability, or aggression.

Mild cognitive impairment isn’t uncommon and isn’t necessarily a sign of worsening capabilities to come. In fact, some medications and health conditions can cause these same symptoms on a temporary basis.

Most of us notice a gradual slowdown in our mental processes over the years, just as we do in our physical abilities. Although these changes in mental acuity aren’t inevitable, they also shouldn’t be cause for significant alarm — unless they begin to impair our ability to function on a day-to-day basis.

What Is Subjective Cognitive Decline?

A person’s family members or friends might be the first to pick up on symptoms of cognitive decline, but in many cases, individuals themselves recognize something isn’t quite right with their cognitive capacity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines subjective cognitive decline as self-reported confusion or memory issues that have been occurring more frequently or getting worse over the span of a year.

The CDC also notes:

• Overall, the prevalence of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is 11.1% among Americans (1 in 9 individuals).
• Prevalence is lower among individuals with more years of formal education.
• Nearly 30% of adults with SCD live alone.
• More than two-thirds (66.2%) of adults with SCD have two or more chronic diseases.
• 6% of adults with SCD experienced functional difficulties while performing day-to-day activities or chores.

Given this data, the CDC states SCD is a “growing public health issue.”

When Cognitive Decline Becomes More Severe

While MCI may stabilize or even improve with intervention, symptoms of MCI could also be the beginning of more severe cognitive decline. Many signs of worsening cognitive decline mimic those of MCI, just at more intense levels.

• Confusion becomes much more pronounced. Some people begin to lose track of time or are unsure what day/date it is.
• Making decisions becomes even more difficult, which can lead to frustration and anger towards others.
• Memory loss deepens, with many more instances of forgetting names, dates, places, and events.
• Individuals may be found wandering for unknown reasons, or placing items in odd locations (e.g. car keys in the freezer).
• People tend to have trouble conversing, possibly due to diminished concentration and train of thought.

These factors may contribute to increased social withdrawal. Many people with cognitive decline or dementia understand they’re developing characteristics they may be embarrassed about, or that others find undesirable, and withdraw from friends and family as a result. In other instances, depression or anxiety may prevent them from interacting with others like they used to.

Unfortunately, social isolation leads to an entirely new set of concerns. Isolated individuals are more at risk for poor health outcomes, self-neglect, and fall-related injuries.

Surprising or Unusual Signs of Cognitive Decline

When thinking about cognitive decline and dementia, people are often aware of the above symptoms (memory, confusion, etc.). But some lesser-known signs of cognitive decline include:

• Changes in sense of smell. A study published in the journal Neurology found that people who could no longer distinguish between two very different odors (e.g. lemons and gasoline) may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Trouble with the law. Dementia sometimes impacts the areas of the brain that control judgment, self-control, violence, and sexual behavior. Individuals with cognitive decline may find themselves in criminal situations, such as theft, trespassing, or even assault.
• Altered sleep patterns. Many people with dementia develop sleep issues such as insomnia, hypersomnia (sleeping too much), or sleeping during the day. This may be due to changes in the body’s circadian rhythm.
• Changes in walking. Slower walking or changes in stride length/gait might indicate dementia-related shifts in the brain.

Take Charge of Your Brain Health With The Aviv Medical Program

Noticing early signs of cognitive decline can be unsettling, whether it’s forgetfulness, slower processing, or difficulty multitasking. At Aviv Clinics, we help clients take proactive control of their brain health with a program built on nearly two decades of peer-reviewed, published scientific research.

For people concerned about declining cognitive abilities, the Aviv Medical Program can include advanced cognitive testing to identify subtle impairments and track meaningful improvements over time. Using evidence-based interventions like hyperbaric oxygen therapy and cognitive training exercises, our program targets the main cognitive domains most often affected by aging, including:

• Memory
• Attention
• Speed of information processing
• Multitasking
• Executive skills

Our board-certified physicians prescribe a personalized treatment program for each client to target their specific concerns and definicencies.

If you or someone you love is experiencing changes in memory or thinking, don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. Contact us to get clarity and start mapping your path forward with Aviv Clinics.

 

Last Update: July 17, 2025.