Dementia Diagnosis

Process & Options

Stage 1: Visit GP

Symptom history

GP will ask you a series of questions to explore your issues. Such as describe your symptoms, how they're impacting you, their duration and any family history.

3rd Party Insight

It's important that GP's get the observations from someone who knows you well, to ask about your behaviour past and present.

Cognitive test

If applicable, one of the simple screeners are used to test your cognitive abilities.

Blood/ Urine Test

There's several simple physical markers to test for that could indicate your symptoms are due to non-neurodegenerative conditions. These must be eliminated first.

There exist's different classifications on the road to Dementia diagnosis

They're applicable to all cognitive issues, defined by the severity of symptoms.

You pass through all 3, whether you realise or not, in the development of Dementia because it's a progressive, degenerative disease.

Where you are on the scale when you seek medical help will impact the diagnostic process.

Subjective Cognitive Concern

The common starting point is that yourself or those closest to you have noticed a change in behaviour or abilities, compared to what you consider 'normal', that you want to investigate.

These could be any combination of

Abilities
Mood
Movement control
Senses

This is termed a "subjective cognitive concern"

If an assessment doesn't judge you to be significantly impaired in any way, or suffering from any other discernible issue, this is what you remain classified as.

Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a severe decline in cognitive functions, specifically to the point where it effects an individuals' ability to carry out everyday tasks and maintain independence.

This could be down to a number of causes and have any number of functions severely impacted.

The majority of cases are neurodegenerative diseases.

Investigation

We are at a pivotal point in medical history where it's now more important than ever to seek early diagnosis, not only because it allows for management and planning, but because of new breakthrough treatments that slow progression that work best before severe impairment.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

A marked decline in cognitive functions is called a "Mild cognitive impairment" - you can be diagnosed with this by a GP or a specialist such as a Neuropsychologist who has assessed you.

Importantly, people with MCI can still function independently.

MCI can be caused by a multitude of things which determines if people remain stable, continue decline or even improve.

Know what healthy looks like and improve your self awareness so you know when something is off.

Everything you need to take to your GP

Memory tests
Daily mood check ins
Sleep tracker
Symptom log
Friends & Family notes

If you don't get the answers you want - have all the information available to keep track and advocate for yourself & a second opinion.

Stage 2: Specialist

If a probable cause is not found on initial investigation or there's a suspected issue that need's further investigation, you'll often be referred to a specialist.

The type of specialist will depend on what symptoms you present with, it can be a multidisciplinary team, including neurologists, psychologists, and geriatricians.

Further assessment can include Neuropsychological testing that more accurately assess what area's of cognition are being impaired by your condition, and to what extent.

Stage 3: Diagnostic tests

If a physiological cause of your cognitive decline is suspected, it can be confirmed by tests.

Brain Imaging

Once the degree and dimension of the cognitive impairment has been appropriately assessed. There's potential that imaging will be done to confirm the location and cause of the damage to the brain.

Biomarker Testing

For some forms of Dementia, like Alzheimer's, they can test the fluid from your spinal cord for the presence of proteins that confirms the cause of your cognitive decline.

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