September is Alzheimer's Awareness Month and therefore a good time to talk about dementia. Does forgetting a name or word mean you have dementia? 

Alzheimer's is the most common dementia, but there are others to be aware of. And when should you worry about mental slips, and what should you do if you are noticing changes in yourself or a loved one?

The good news is that if you're experiencing memory lapses like the ones described above, it's probably not something you need to stress over. Things that do not usually suggest Alzheimer's disease are the things that most people worry about, such as forgetting names or walking into a room and forgetting why you're there. 

So how do you know if your forgetfulness has moved past what's normal? If your memory lapses start impacting your daily life, it's worth getting checked out.

In fact, most of the time the early signs of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are typically first noticed by family members or friends, not the person with memory lapses. The changes are subtle, such a growing tendency to repeat the same things over and over. Or getting lost while driving in familiar locations. If this is a new behavior, it's something to pay attention to. 

In the early stages of Alzheimer's, you may notice changes in a loved one's ability to function in daily life. He or she may forget appointments or get lost when driving to familiar places, or suddenly stop paying bills. Or a person who has always made reservations for vacation might suddenly have trouble performing this task.

If you are noticing daily lapses like the ones described above in a loved one or friend, it's a good idea to have the problem investigated further by a medical professional.

In the meantime, exercising, making smart food choices, and surrounding yourself with a strong support network may help you stay sharper longer.