Diagnosis

There is no one test used to diagnose a type of dementia. Rather, the diagnosis involves a range of assessments and tests and this can mean that confirming a diagnosis can take time, particularly in the early stages.

A diagnosis of dementia usually begins with a General Practitioner, GP.  It can be helpful to make a note of the changes causing concern before your visit to help you to talk to the GP about them. Perhaps keep a diary to help you to do this.

The GP will generally begin an assessment by ruling out other possible causes of symptoms you are experiencing; this may involve running some tests including blood tests and memory tests as well as an overview of your general health. Some other possible causes of the symptoms you are experiencing include thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiency and side effects of some medication.

The GP may refer to a consultant who will conduct a full assessment to try to establish the cause of the symptoms.   Click here to find out who’s who in dementia care, as they can work with you to help you understand the diagnosis.

If you are under 65, you will be referred to a neurologist or a memory clinic. If you feel a referral to a specialist would be helpful you can discuss this with the GP.

The consultant will conduct a full assessment to try to establish the cause of the symptoms. They usually work with a specialist team and you may see a number of people from this team. This process usually includes

• Blood tests,
• A full history of family medical background,
• A physical examination,
• An assessment of memory, thinking and activities of daily living,
• A brain scan (CT, MRI) to identify any changes taking place in the brain which may form part of the assessment, but this may not be required for every case.

The doctors will work directly with the person who is experiencing changes. The doctor may also ask family members to talk about any changes they see or any concerns they may have.

After the assessment, the consultant will draw together all the results and determine what is happening. It may be that the assessment is repeated at a later date in order to identify further changes and confirm a diagnosis.

What if a diagnosis is made?

A diagnosis of dementia can come as a shock, no matter how much it is expected. It is hard for everyone concerned and reassurance and support are vital. The most important thing is to try to be positive and to know that you are not alone. There are people you can talk to and supports and services that can help.

Your GP will be an important person to support you to live well with dementia. You can talk to them about your dementia, about any medications and treatments you may be prescribed, about areas such as driving and about any symptoms that may emerge.