What is the difference between normal forgetting and dementia?

It's normal to forget things once in a while as we age, but serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things like driving, using the phone, and finding your way home.
Signs that it might be time to talk to a doctor include:
 - Asking the same questions over and over again
 - Getting lost in places a person knows well
 - Having trouble following recipes or directions
 - Becoming more confused about time, people, and places
 - Not taking care of oneself —eating poorly, not bathing, or behaving unsafely