Diagnosing

It is very important to get a proper diagnosis.

• A diagnosis will help the doctor rule out illnesses that might have similar symptoms to dementia, including depression. 
• Having a diagnosis may mean it is possible to be prescribed drugs for Alzheimer's disease 
• Whether you are someone with dementia or a carer, a diagnosis can help you prepare and plan for the future.

Dementia is diagnosed by a doctor, either a GP or a specialist. The specialist may be a geriatrician (a doctor specialising in the care of the elderly), a neurologist (someone who concentrates on diseases of the nervous system) or a psychiatrist (a mental health specialist).

The doctor may carry out a number of tests. These are designed to test memory and the ability to perform daily tasks.

Can dementia be prevented?

At present we are not sure what causes most of the diseases that lead to dementia. This means it is difficult to be sure what we can do to prevent dementia.

However, the evidence seems to indicate that a healthy diet and lifestyle may help protect against dementia. In particular, not smoking, exercising regularly, avoiding fatty foods and keeping mentally active into old age may help to reduce the risk of developing vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Can dementia be cured?

Most forms of dementia cannot be cured, although research is continuing into developing drugs, vaccines and treatments.

Some of this information has been obtained from the Alzheimer’s Society fact sheet.