I'm 58 and sometimes I get words mixed-up. Could I be getting dementia?

It could be. It could also be something called "IO dementia"--your INPUT far exceeds your 'ouput'. In easier terms, you're burnt out. More info is coming in than your brain can process.

When I talk to my mom, SHE has a teribble time finding the right words. After about a half hour, I am as bad as she is! Trying to help her wears me out.

Also, after chemo, I have permanent brain fog. Combined with COVID brain fog and somedays I can't remember my own name.

Get checked out if it's really bothering you. Likely it's just part of the loveliness of getting older.

Here’s a site that can give you the general idea of how dementia MAY go:
https://tamcummings.com/stages-of-dementia/

I agree with Mid. You might just be burned out, stressed, and in need of rest.

If you’re REALLY concerned, you could get some baseline testing done. People on this list have had testing done for their loved ones, and those tests take something like 7-8 hours.

There are on-line SCREENING tests (they are too short to make a diagnosis) that you could have someone give you to maybe put your mind at ease. These tests are minutes long. Just have your testing partner google “Dementia Screening test”.

It could be aphasia, which can be caused by a stroke (like mini stroke: TIA) or other causes. I agree that a baseline exam should be had by a neurologist.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aphasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369518

Please do not be afraid to go to your doctor for a full lab work up.

In my mid 40's I thought I was losing my mind. I was so incredibly forgetful. I was in tears at my doctor's office. My doctor reassured me that it was unlikely to be early onset dementia and sent for for lab work. Turned out I had B12 anemia. All I needed was extra B12 and all the symptoms went away.

I like this article b/c it also gives an example of a typical age-related change in addition to a possible sign of Alz/dementia:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer's or other dementia. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are 10 warning signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.

1
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's a typical age-related change?
Making occasional errors when managing finances or household bills.

3
Difficulty completing familiar tasks 
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What's a typical age-related change?
Occasionally needing help to use microwave settings or to record a TV show.

4
Confusion with time or place
People living with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What's a typical age-related change?
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.
What's a typical age-related change?
Vision changes related to cataracts.

6
New problems with words in speaking or writing
People living with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person living with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
What's a typical age-related change?
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.

8
Decreased or poor judgment
Individuals may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's a typical age-related change?
Making a bad decision or mistake once in a while, like neglecting to change the oil in the car.

Continued....

9
Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.
What's a typical age-related change?
Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.

10
Changes in mood and personality
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends or when out of their comfort zone.
What's a typical age-related change?
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

*********************
Nobody can say whether the specific verbal issues you mention are indicative of dementia/AD or not; only a MoCA or SLUMS (or longer) test administered by a doctor can tell you whether you are on the dementia path or not.

Best of luck.

I've had that problem since I started having kids nearly 30 years ago.

A friend once told me that she read a woman gives about 1/8 of her brain cells to the child she's carrying. In my case, that means almost half my brain went to my three kids.

It explains a lot.

I wouldn't worry.

Perimenopause/menopause definitely changes your brain. As we age, fluidity of every body function declines, generally.
Fatigue, boredom, emotional distress, distraction, frustration, impatience, etc. can all interfere with word finding. The brain has to use a certain amount of energy to suppress/ignore those unacceptable thoughts and feelings when they arise.
Also, it is very common for adults past 50 to start losing 'nouns'. Proper names and place names go first, along with nouns that you rarely use in speech. (We use fewer words in ordinary speech than the number of words we can read or understand when we hear them.)
Cross word puzzles can help with word retrieval, word jumbles help with processing the letters and sounds to make words, and even word search puzzles help you 'see' words and remind the brain that this is a word.
Singing can be easier to help with finding words...and for someone with dementia to process/express ideas.
Singing along to familiar tunes helps with language fluidity.

I would say its Stress even if you don't think caring for Mom is stressful. I am 72 and for me even having something change my routine stresses me out.

I am with Tothill. Get a physical that includes a full lab work up. B12 does effect cognitivity. Thyroid effects the body in many ways. Low Potassium.

VVinAshland, I have worked outside of the home my whole adult life except for the past two years, and I miss the work related conversations. I believe now that is the reason that no one dares try to speak to me at the start of the mornings, as my brain had taken a detour somewhere.

One thing I learned, if I think I might be getting dementia, then I'm not. Because those who do have dementia do not realize that they have that condition.

Weeellll.....I'm the primary caregiver for my husband and am exhausted. Had a mild form of COVID (vaccinnated and boosted=mild) and brain fog is the last part of this. So, with those two factors, being older, I know I'm forgetful now-try not to stress over it, and make it relatable to my husband's dementia-and how much worse his memory is and will never get better-and see this as a teachable moment for myself as far as what dementia can feel like.

I found that perimenopause plus family duties/crisis/caregiving etc…at the same time created a perfect storm for peri symptoms for me!

And this is out of left field but may apply to some; I have ADHD ( more formal diagnosis was a big relief honestly) and do okay with organization albeit at great cost. Managing the minutia of my mom’s life is like ADHD kryptonite I’ve learned, and when I’m more stressed my ability to stay on track verbally or mentally or whatnot gets even more derailed. A lot of forgetfulness !!!

Anyhoo ADHD and caregiving are a whole other Thing….The bigger point is you’re not crazy! I love the B12 suggestions too.

Wishing you the best!

What FreqFlyer said, and double the emphasis.

The last several years, this year and I'm guessing upcoming years are raising so many issues that affect our daily lives that it's literally overwhelming.

Our parents didn't grow up with 24/7 "news" stations, some with "anchors" who in my opinion deliberately stoke the news to draw out friction, conflicts, and reel us in. Watch the expressions on the faces of some of the anchors; it's as if they're trying to hypnotize people with their intense glares.

There are also regular if not constant reports on negative actions, hostilities with other nations, mass killings in the US, youngsters shooting other youngsters and more awful situations.

Our minds are I think being directed toward those mass events; I even begin to wonder if I'll be able to get in and out of the grocery store w/o being assaulted or robbed. I never thought that way before "information" became so prolific and aggressively integrated into daily life.

We live in much different times than those in which we grew up. Life then now seems so simplified. I think we need to make very selective decisions about what we need and don't need to know, such as all this "influencer" nonsense and apparent followings of someone who in my opinion hasn't accomplished much to broadcast or generate a following, as well as all the friction here and in other jurisdictions and countries.

Anyone remember how Steve Jobs was applauded and sometimes revered, despite his challenging personality? But look what he created. Think of others who have advanced life, technology, medicine and more. These are major contributors to enhancement of life, yet that concept seems to have been mixed, blended or subordinated to people with more dramatic activities.

When I studied French decades ago, I found myself thinking and blending French into my English conversations. When I studied German, then it was English, French and German that became blended. They were on my mind. But what's on the minds of people today?

I've been thinking of trying to get back into law firms for part time jobs, just b/c I would have access to stimulating issues and people.

For about 2 years before my mother was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she complained frequently about her memory loss. She forgot names and places but was still able to live independently in those 2 years. A sudden illness at 79 years old abruptly revealed all the symptoms of an early stage of Alzheimer’s. The my mother got worse and worse very quickly after that. She was very depressed. She knew something was very wrong with her and a few times, she said she wish she could die. Very sad to hear her say that.

We call those moment (excuse the term), "brain farts."

I forget words more frequently now, for some reason particularly nouns. However I know that I have a particularly extensive vocabulary, so I work on the basis that I can lose a few without become incoherent. Look on the bright side!

In college, I had a professor who explained it like this:

If you forget where you put your keys, it’s just forgetting.

If you forget what keys are for, that’s Alzheimer’s.

Start with some good old-fashioned self care - healthy diet, 8 glasses of water daily, 7-9 hours of sleep every night, time away from stress and/or work... Once you know you are taking good care of yourself, you will know if this is just tiredness or stress causing to occasional slip.

After this, check in with your primary care provider to a thorough physical. Infections, problems with oxygenation (like COVID), blood chemistry imbalances... can cause these symptoms. If everything seems OK, ask for a referral to a neurologist to check for circulation to the part of the brain dealing with speech and word choices. You may simply need to tweak your diet or start a medication to help resolve this problem. BTW, menopause is notorious for wreaking havoc with sleep and this could be the culprit. If your are suffering, a course of hormones to smooth out your "ups and downs" can help greatly. Your provider can work with you to create a plan to taper off hormones in a way that minimizes menopause symptoms.

If you have access to a neuropsychologist, ask your doctor for a referral.

I was concerned for myself as you are. After the testing, I was told that my issues did not show to be related to Alzheimers... but it could not be said I would never have Alzheimers. What it did show was that they were related to the stress and anxiety I have been living with for so many years as a caregiver for my husband with Parkinson's. While I can't say it never happens now, it did improve once I began trying to care for myself including a mild medication to help take the edge off. I had refused to accept a prescription for years before because I was concerned for my husband's safety if it were to make me too sleepy. The right one was prescribed and has made a big difference.

It is good to also be evaluated physically to be sure there are no other underlying issues. Talk to your primary care doctor first, especially if they know you well and are aware of your care giving responsibilities.

Below is a speaker that I found helpful. Even though it relates to PD, the info he shares sheds some insight to how a test should be conducted and the report given.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4HGcn1kPsU

I doubt it. I’m not a doctor however, I would keep check on it. At that age of course things are bound to happen. I remember when things would pop up on my body or something grows my mom would say what her mom said it’s age especially over 50 our bodies start to deteriorate but keep check it doesn’t hurt and don’t stress because that will do it also.

Also, join a yoga, gym speech class or something to keep u from thinking of too much negativity

I am 59 and have the same problem, extra worrying when I work as an editor! I get sudden blanks when I can't recall a fact or a word I ought to know. I am already on calming medication to help me deal with my narcissistic mum who now has dementia as well, so I hope it is that...

The advice here seems eminently wise.

Yes, I’m sorry to say it could be dementia. My mother started to say the wrong words at about the time that she was going through menopause. She always heard it happening and often, in the beginning, it started with the same letter as the intended word but made no sense. Now, almost twenty years later she mostly mumbles and can only occasionally get out a comprehensible word or two. It’s called Picks disease. She also cannot perform any functions of daily living for herself anymore. The steep decline has been in the last two or three years but I remember her starting to talk about saying the wrong word almost 20 years ago. Two and a half years ago is when she lost her ability to drive. She was against medication and never went to the doctor. When we started her on Namenda two years ago there was a period of improvement and, in my opinion, she should have started taking it at the first signs. The drugs don’t work forever and there’s only a couple to choose from but better to start early. She also should have planned for long term care at that time but her ADD along with her dementia prevented that from happening. I have put my career aside for the last two years to take care of her, something I know she did not want me to have to do. If it were me I’d speak to a neurologist and buy long term care insurance right away. Also go ahead and take the turmeric pills and vitamin D and whatever else research is showing might slow decline. My mom bought drawers of vitamins but never took any of it. Somehow she knew but didn’t know at the same time. Best wishes.

Have you spoken to your doctor? It could be a menopause symptom. It could be a symptom of stress, particularly if you are a carer. If you haven't done so already get your thyroid checked, getting words mixed up can by a symptom of thyroid problems.

Good luck.

I’ll help to answer the easy one….Menopause: Yes quite possibly! Get on the HRT and some good quality vitamins (especially calcium) if you haven’t already. Brain fog due to “M” can cause alarm, but don’t let it and start eating good quality food (good helpings and sources of protein) and talk to your Dr. Don’t let them dismiss your symptoms. Find a doctor who understands that “M” is different for everyone. To steal a page out of my mother’s life, She’s 85 years old, has LT memory better than mine and takes a handful of vitamins daily and zero medicine. Cut out the SUGAR from your diet (as much as possible) add collagen powder to your protein smoothies or coffee and start strength training; even 10 min/day is helpful and get moving. It’s important to keep things moving and the collagen helps with that as well. Do some mind mapping exercises and if things continue to be challenging, then raise the issue of dementia.
I remember when I was a child, my mother use to mix up her words and she’s as sharp as a can be. I’m now doing the same and I’m going the the big “M” so, be kind to yourself and do the above and it will be a start in the right direction.

I had a hysterectomy at 49 and the hormone replacement meds were not right. I moved and ended up with no HR. Thought I had Alzheimer's. Would make wrong turns on my bus route or not know if AM or PM. Found a new Dr who assured me it was hormones. It took a month before I saw real memory improvement but HR did improve other stuff like hot flashes right away.

Flash forward to age 58. Still on HR, but have had a couple scary episodes where I knew I knew what to do but could not do it. I was like frozen. Or during a card game I suddenly could not follow the plays at all for a whole hand. Ugh very upsetting. Got a neuro psych exam which found me to have avg memory for a 59 yo. But compared to other neuro psych exams I had had in past ( for ADD and other diagnosis) those tests showed my memory to be superior.

Now 62 and with stress of dealing with mom and my aging, it is clear there is decline. The other day I woke up for work but couldn't remember where I worked. Only for a minute or two but still scary. I remember my mother at this age had a legal pad and wrote down where she put things. So my decline is probably on par with hers.

She is 90 this month and has severe dementia. Over the last 30 years she has steadily worsening behavior concerning paranoia, changing her mind with work being done at house, buying crazy lot of everything, making mall security find her car every time, hiding things, losing things, incapable of cooking holiday dinner yet insisting on doing it. So now when people ask us when her dementia began or chalk up her behavior to the dementia, for us it's been hard. We see her current symptoms as just being her, just a steadily worsening version of her ongoing behaviors, it's been so long in coming. So that is why I don't agree with people when they say oh that's just memory decline, if you don't know what keys are, it's dementia. That is far too black and white and is depicted as a sudden onset. That is not our experience.

For those whose lives have been impacted by Alzheimer's or other dementias, if you want to make an impact on research and treatment - please consider participating in a research study. There are many that you can find online - @ Trial Match - Free Clinical Trial Matching Service | alz.org. Some involve medication/treatment, others are only looking to identify and track early signs/symptoms. You chose your level of comfort.

Some studies may also offer you some early reassurance as to whether you are at higher risk for developing dementia yourself.

I was recently screened as part of a national study to evaluate an investigational drug that may slow down or prevent Alzheimer's before symptoms begin: "A Study of Donanemab versus placebo in participants at risk for cognitive and functional decline of Alzheimer's disease."

They are seeking volunteers to test an investigational drug.  
No insurance needed.
You may be reimbursed for travel expenses. 

Qualifications:
Age 55-80
No significant memory or thinking problems

What's in it for YOU?: The screening for this study involves an amyloid plaque test (a blood sample is taken) - which will tell you if you have the genetic marker for Alzheimer's. That is huge!!!!

If you have the genetic marker - you can choose to participate in the active portion of the study - to test an investigational drug over 9 months - with follow-up tracking for another five years.  

If you live in upstate NY, call (518) 314-6656; sorry don't have a number for other areas of the country.

Please pass this along to others who may be interested.

I would go to your doctor, explain your symptoms, and see what they suggest. I know that's a short reply, but that's my heartful advice. They might run some tests and/or refer you to a specialist. Good luck.

If you are worried I’d talk to the doctor about it. But considering the fact that you must be quite busy, maybe a little stressed and over worked right now it’s probably quite normal. I’m 64 and that happens to me much more than it used to too.

I think it might be caused from the stress of caregiving.

I was a caregiver too. I am slightly younger than you are now and for me this problem started while I was caregiving for both my elderly parents.

After my parents passed away, as executor, there was added very painful stress - selling the family home… dealing with outrageous behavior by siblings which (to me) was completely unexpected. This could have been even more difficult probably for me —than taking care of sick parents. These cognitive hiccups worsened for me when dealing with all the stress of the estate.

Now that the dust has settled and I’m back to just my own life, I don’t experience this problem anymore.

Take breaks for your well being and ensure you get a little exercise, fresh air and healthy food. Sometimes this is hard when caregiving, but make yourself and your health a priority too.