It’s happened to all of us: misplaced car keys, trouble remembering the name of an acquaintance or forgetting why we walked into a room. But when are simple memory lapses a sign of a deeper problem or early dementia?

Dr. Gary Small, a professor of psychiatry and aging and the director of the University of California-Los Angeles Longevity Center tells Newsmax that occasional forgetfulness is normal. But there are some telltale signs that memory slips are signs of a more serious problem.

Here are some examples of normal age-related memory changes versus symptoms that may indicate you or a loved one may be suffering early signs of dementia.

Daily tasks: Normal: You are able to function independently and pursue normal activities, despite occasional memory lapses. Caution: You have difficulty performing simple tasks such as paying bills, dressing appropriately, or practicing good personal hygiene.

Forgetfulness: Normal: You are able to recall and describe periods of forgetfulness. Caution: You can’t recall the times when memory loss caused problems.

Sense of direction: Normal: You may pause to ask for and remember directions, but you don’t get lost in familiar places. Caution: You get lost or disoriented in familiar surroundings and are unable to follow directions.

Speech patterns: Normal: You occasionally have difficulty finding the right word but have no trouble carrying on a conversation. Caution: Words are frequently misused, forgotten or garbled. Phrases and stories are repeated during a conversation.

Judgment: Normal: Judgment and decision making ability are the same. Caution: You have trouble making choices and may exhibit poor judgment and inappropriate social behavior.