It often starts at Sunday dinner. Your mom tells the story about the neighbour’s new car, and twenty minutes later she tells it again, word for word. Or, you open her fridge for the milk and find three cartons, two of them well past their date. There’s a pattern here, and you feel a small knot in your stomach hinting at the inevitable.
These changes are more common than many people realize. The Alzheimer Society of Canada reports that 8.7% of people in Canada over age 65 were living with some form of dementia in 2024.
This guide will help you spot the early signs of dementia that are worth a closer look, along with a few Montreal realities that make them easy to miss.
Normal aging vs. something to look into
Everyone forgets things, and memory does change with age. The table below is a gentle guide to help you notice patterns – based on the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s warning signs:
|
Usually part of normal aging |
Worth mentioning to a doctor |
|
Forgetting a name and remembering it later |
Forgetting a recent conversation entirely, even with a reminder |
|
Missing a bill payment once in a while |
Mail piling up unopened and bills going unpaid |
|
Misplacing glasses or keys now and then |
Putting things in odd places, like the TV remote in the fridge |
|
Needing a moment to find the right word |
Often losing simple words or using words that don’t fit |
|
Forgetting what day it is, then working it out |
Getting lost on a street they’ve known for years |
|
Feeling less social after a busy stretch |
Pulling away from favourite activities for weeks at a time |
9 early signs families often miss
If you’re searching in French, you’ll often see these described as signes précoces de démence. Here are the early signs of dementia in elderly parents that tend to slip past even caring, attentive families.
- Unopened mail and late bills
A parent who always paid bills on time may start leaving envelopes stacked on the counter. A late notice or a cut-off warning can be the first thing you actually see.
- Skipped meals or spoiled food in the fridge
Cooking involves a lot of steps. When those steps get harder, meals get skipped and food often gets forgotten as well, so the fridge can tell you a lot.
- Pulling away from usual activities
Someone who loved their weekly card game or Sunday service might start finding reasons to stay home. They may also stop calling old friends back.
- Getting lost on a familiar route
This could be the bus to the Atwater Market or the drive to a daughter’s home in Laval. Even one confusing trip on a route they’ve taken a hundred times is worth noting.
- Trouble following a TV show or conversation
Your parent may lose track of a favourite show’s storyline or go quiet at the dinner table when several people are talking at once.
- New kind of irritability
The Alzheimer Society of Canada lists changes like becoming suspicious, fearful or withdrawn as possible signs. You might even hear accusations that someone moved or took their things.
- Dressing wrong for the weather
In a Montreal winter, this one is a real safety risk. A light jacket in January or no boots on an icy morning can put your parent in danger.
- Repeated questions within the same visit
Asking what time you’re leaving three times in an hour is different from forgetting a detail from last month. Pay attention to repetition.
- A shift in language
This is the sign families talk about least. A bilingual parent may start drifting back to their first language, or mix French and English more than they used to.
Why these signs are easy to miss in Montreal families
Many Montreal families are spread out. Adult children often live in Toronto, Ottawa or abroad, and short visits can hide daily patterns. A parent can hold things together for a weekend, especially when they know you’re coming.
Language may be an additional barrier to deal with. If you speak mostly English and your parent expresses confusion in French, you might not be able to catch it.
What to do if you notice these signs
Keep a simple dated log
Write down what you notice and when. For example, a note like “Oct 12: asked about Sunday plans four times during lunch” is far more useful to a doctor than a general worry.
Book an appointment with the family doctor
The Alzheimer Society of Canada has helpful tips on talking to your doctor about dementia.
Call 811 if you need guidance
Anyone living in Québec can call Info-Santé 811 for a family member, and option 1 connects you with a nurse for non-urgent health concerns 24 hours a day. If your parent doesn’t have a family doctor, 811 option 3 reaches the Primary Care Access Point (GAP), which requires registration with the Québec Family Doctor Finder. Your local CLSC can also tell you about home support services in your area.
Lean on the Alzheimer Society of Montreal
They offer free, confidential counselling and support groups for caregivers, and their caregiver support groups run in both French and English.
Talk to your parent gently
Choose a calm moment and remember to always lead with love and understanding.
How daily support at home helps while you get answers
Getting answers can take time, and your parent still needs support in the meantime. A consistent caregiver who sees your parent regularly often notices small changes that a weekly visitor would miss, and can share those observations with your family.
At home, a caregiver can help with:
- Routines and reminders
- Meal prep
- Companionship
- Evening supervision
You don’t need to have every answer to take the next step. Our team will visit your parent at home, listen to your concerns, and help you put the right support in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is forgetfulness a normal part of aging?
Some forgetfulness is normal, like misplacing keys or forgetting a name and recalling it later. The Alzheimer Society of Canada notes that people living with dementia may forget things more often and have trouble recalling newly learned information. If memory changes are affecting daily life, it’s worth talking to a doctor.
Who should we talk to first if we notice signs of dementia in Montreal?
Start with your parent’s family doctor. If they don’t have one, call 811 for guidance. The Alzheimer Society of Montreal can support your family with counselling and information along the way.
Why does my bilingual parent speak more French (or English) lately?
There can be many reasons, including tiredness or simply feeling comfortable with family. In some people, a shift back to their first language can be an early sign of memory changes. Note when it happens and mention it to their doctor.
Can in-home care help before a formal diagnosis?
Yes. You don’t need a diagnosis to arrange support at home. A caregiver can help with meals, reminders and companionship, and can share what they notice with your family while you wait for answers.
