Dementia is a condition that affects the brain and changes the way a person thinks, remembers, and behaves. One of the less talked about but very important effects of dementia is how it changes the way people experience time. Many people with dementia say that time feels different. Sometimes it feels like time is moving too fast, other times it feels like time is moving too slow. Sometimes people lose track of what day it is, or even what time of day it is. This is not just about forgetting appointments or losing track of the calendar. It is about how the brain itself processes the passing of time, and this can start to change very early in the disease, even before memory problems become obvious [1].
The brain has special systems that help us keep track of time. These systems are spread out across different parts of the brain, including the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. The prefrontal cortex is involved in planning, decision making, and keeping track of short periods of time, like how long it takes to complete a task. The hippocampus is important for forming memories and also helps us remember the order of events, which is key to understanding how time passes [1]. When dementia starts to affect these areas, it can disrupt the way time is perceived.
For example, someone with dementia might feel like they have just eaten lunch, but in reality, it was several hours ago. Or they might feel like they have been sitting in the same place for a very long time, even if only a few minutes have passed. This is because the brain is no longer able to accurately measure or remember the passage of time. The memories that help us mark time, like what we did earlier in the day or what happened yesterday, become less clear and less detailed. This is called a loss of memory precision, and it is one of the earliest signs of brain aging and dementia [1].
Studies have shown that people in their late 30s and 40s can already start to show subtle changes in how well they remember details, even if they do not have any obvious memory problems yet. These changes are not picked up by standard memory tests, but more sensitive tests that measure memory precision can detect them. When memory precision declines, it becomes harder to keep track of time because the brain cannot form clear, detailed memories of events. Without these clear memories, it is difficult to know how much time has passed or what order things happened in [1].
In addition to memory problems, dementia can also affect other aspects of perception that are related to time. For example, tasks that involve judging how long something takes or how fast something is moving can become harder for people with dementia. These tasks rely on the brain’s ability to process motion and time, and when dementia affects the relevant brain areas, these abilities can decline. This means that someone with dementia might have trouble estimating how long it will take to walk to the store, or they might misjudge how fast a car is moving when crossing the street [4].
Another way that dementia affects time perception is through changes in daily routines and physical activity. People with dementia often become less active and may spend more time at home. This can make time feel like it is passing more slowly, because there are fewer new experiences and events to mark the passage of time. On the other hand, if someone is very busy or stressed, time might feel like it is passing more quickly. Changes in physical activity and daily routines can also affect sleep patterns, and poor sleep is another factor that can make time feel distorted [2].
Sleep problems are common in people with dementia and can start to appear even before memory problems become obvious. Poor sleep can make it harder to keep track of time, because the brain needs good sleep to form and store memories. When sleep is disrupted, it becomes harder to remember what happened during the day and to keep track of the passage of time. This can lead to confusion about what day it is or what time it is, and can make time feel like it is passing in a strange or unpredictable way [6].
The way that dementia affects time perception can also be influenced by a person’s environment and social interactions. People who are isolated or who do not leave their homes very often may feel like time is passing more slowly, because there are fewer new experiences to mark the passage of time. On the other hand, people who are very active and have a lot of social interactions may feel like time is passing more quickly, because there are more events and experiences to remember [2].
It is important to understand that the changes in time perception that happen with dementia are not just a matter of forgetting or being confused. They are a result of real changes in the brain that affect how time is processed and experienced. These changes can start very early in the disease, even before memory problems become obvious, and they can have a big impact on a person’s daily life and well-being [1].
Researchers are working to develop new tools and tests that can detect these changes in time perception and memory precision earlier, so that dementia can be diagnosed and treated sooner. These tools include advanced memory tests that measure how well a person remembers details, as well as tasks that assess how well a person can judge time and motion. By detecting these changes early, it may be possible to slow down the progression of dementia and improve the quality of life for people with the condition [1, 4].
In everyday life, the changes in time perception that happen with dementia can be very challenging for both the person with dementia and their caregivers. It can be hard to plan activities or keep track of appointments when time feels distorted. It can also be hard to understand why someone with dementia seems to lose track of time or feels like time is passing in a strange way. Knowing that these changes are a result of real brain changes can help caregivers be more patient and understanding, and can help them find ways to support the person with dementia [2, 6].
Overall, dementia affects the way people perceive time in many different ways. It can make time feel like it is passing too fast or too slow, it can make it hard to keep track of what day it is or what time it is, and it can make it hard to remember the order of events. These changes are a result of real changes in the brain that affect memory, perception, and daily routines. Understanding these changes can help people with dementia and their caregivers cope with the challenges of the condition and find ways to improve their quality of life [1, 2, 4, 6].
[1] University of Cambridge, Journal of Experimental Psychology
[2] Medical College of Virginia Foundation
[4] Frontiers in Psychology
[6] Alzheimer’s & Dementia
