Is It Dementia or Just Aging? The...
Is It Dementia or Just Aging? The One Question I Always Asked First
Senior Safety Advice by Esther C Kane CAPS, C.D.S.
Sep 26, 2026
08:51
Episode notes

Is your mom or dad getting more forgetful, and you can't tell whether it's normal aging or something more? In this episode, retired Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Dementia Care Specialist Esther Kane explains the one question she always asked first in her clinical practice, and why it tells you far more than counting up memory slips. She walks through the difference between ordinary age-related forgetfulness and changes that interfere with daily tasks, covers the treatable conditions that can look exactly like dementia, and offers a calm, respectful way to raise the subject with a parent without putting them on the defensive. Listeners will also learn what to write down before the doctor's appointment so the visit is actually productive. For more practical guidance on staying safe and independent at home, visit  ... 

Keywords
senior safety advice
esther kane
tips for family caregivers