How to get a dementia diagnosis

What to expect when you see a GP about dementia

A GP will ask about your symptoms and other aspects of your health.

They'll also ask if you're finding it hard to manage everyday activities such as:

• washing and dressing (personal care)
• cooking and shopping
• paying bills

If possible, someone who knows you well should be with you at your GP appointment, so they can describe any changes or problems they've noticed.

They could also help you remember what was said at the appointment.

Memory problems do not necessarily mean you have dementia. These problems can have other causes, such as:

• depression and anxiety
• sudden confusion (delirium) caused by a medical condition, such as an infection
• an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• side effects of some medicines

To help rule out other causes of memory problems, the GP will do a physical examination and may organise tests, such as a blood test and urine test.

You'll also be asked to do a memory or cognitive test to check any problems with your memory or ability to think clearly.

• Tests for diagnosing dementia

Referral to a dementia specialist

Dementia can be difficult to diagnose, especially if your symptoms are mild.

If the GP has been able to rule out other causes for your symptoms, they may refer you to a healthcare professional who specialises in diagnosing dementia, such as:

• a psychiatrist with experience of treating dementia (an old-age psychiatrist)
• a doctor specialising in elderly care (a geriatrician)
• a doctor specialising in the brain and nervous system (a neurologist)

The specialist may work in a memory clinic with other professionals who are experts in diagnosing, caring for, and advising people with dementia, and their families.

At your appointment with the specialist

It's important to make good use of your time with the specialist.

It may help to:

• write down questions you want to ask
• make a note of any medical terms the doctor uses

The specialist may organise more tests. One of these might be a brain scan, such as a CT scan, or an MRI scan.

They may also do further, more detailed memory tests.

If the specialist is still not certain about the diagnosis, you may need to have further, more complex tests. But most cases of dementia can be diagnosed after these assessments.

If the diagnosis is dementia

After you've had the tests (or sometimes before the tests), your doctor should ask if you want to know your diagnosis.

They should explain what having dementia might mean for you and give you time to talk about the condition and ask questions.

Unless you decide otherwise, your doctor, or a member of their team, should talk to you and your family or carer about:

• the type of dementia you have or, if it's not clear, they should talk to you about being assessed again in the future
• the symptoms and how the condition might develop
• the treatments you might be offered
• the name of a health or social care professional who will co-ordinate the different types of support you need
• care and support services in your area, including support groups and voluntary organisations for people with dementia, their families and carers
• advocacy services
• how dementia will affect your driving or employment, if this applies to you
• where you can get financial and legal advice

You should also be given written information about dementia.

Ongoing dementia assessment

The memory service where you were assessed may also continue to see you in the early stages.

The GP and the specialist may also jointly prescribe medicines that may help some of the symptoms of dementia. But not everyone will benefit from these medicines.

During a follow-up appointment with a GP, or other healthcare professional, they'll check how the dementia is progressing and if you have any new care needs.

Ongoing appointments are also a chance to talk about your plans for the future, such as managing your affairs and enduring power of attorney.