Paying your bills twice could be a dementia sign? Doctor shares 4 subtle symptoms families often overlook”

There have been certain times when you may have gotten confused and paid someone twice, or have struggled to give change to someone. On many occasions, you may have stepped into a room only to forget why you were there at the first place. Some changes in behaviour are easy to dismiss. However, there are a few certain everyday difficulties that may need a closer look, especially when they are new, repeated often and very different from one's usual abilities. Dr Priyam Bordoloi, recently, highlighted a couple of subtle changes that often go unnoticed, but can be signs of dementia. As per the doctor, at the onset of dementia, a person may still remember every family member. Instead, early signs like how one handles money, navigates regularly on familiar routes, conversations or personality changes.

Paying bills twice could signal a change

One of the subtle changes highlighted by Dr Priyam Bordoloi involves handling money. A person who has always managed bill payments independently may suddenly make payments twice, or miss out on due dates, give away money or struggle to calculate change. These may look like ordinary mistakes, but Bordoloi points to a key distinction.

As per the doctor, "An occasional mistake is normal. A new, repeated decline in a skill they once had is different."

Getting confused on a familiar route

Another change may appear when someone struggles to navigate routes they have known for years. According to Bordoloi, a person travelling on a familiar road or route for years might suddenly hesitate or miss a turn they have taken countless times. They may also suddenly need assistance getting to a place they previously knew. The doctor noted, "Getting lost somewhere familiar is more concerning than briefly forgetting why you entered a room." The difference lies in whether the difficulty is new, recurring and affecting an ability the person once managed easily.

Asking the same question repeatedly

Repeatedly asking the same question can also be an important clue. Bordoloi described a situation where someone asks a question, receives an answer and then asks the same question again just minutes later, and completely forgetting the earlier conversation. This is different from occasionally forgetting a name and remembering it later. According to the doctor, "repeatedly losing newly learned information" can be more concerning, particularly when the pattern continues rather than happening as an isolated incident.

A noticeable change in personality

Changes in personality may be yet another subtle sign before you can connect it with memory problems. Dr Priyam Bordoloi explained that a previously warm person may suddenly become suspicious, while someone who has always been social may begin to withdraw. Another person may appear to lose their usual tact, empathy or interest in things they once enjoyed.

However, the doctor stressed that one bad day does not mean dementia. What deserves attention is a progressive change from the person’s usual personality that begins affecting everyday life.

Dementia may not begin with obvious memory loss

Dr Priyam Bordoloi’s post highlights that dementia does not always announce itself through the obvious sign- inability to recognise loved ones or remember familiar names. The doctor emphasised that these changes should be viewed in the context of whether a person represents a repeated decline from a person’s previous abilities. A noticeable progression that starts interfering with daily life deserves proper assessment.