Not just memory – other symptoms of dementia
People assume that memory issues mean dementia, but there are other symptoms, too. These include:
Difficulty with thought processes
Problems concentrating
Issues following or understanding a conversation and/or struggling for words
Personality and/or mood changes
Feeling a lack of motivation
Finding everyday tasks difficult
It’s best to check for dementia sooner rather than later so you can:
Rule out any other causes for the issues you’re experiencing, such as diabetes or a vitamin deficiency, so it’s important to be assessed. You can find out more about other possible causes of dementia-like symptoms here
Get the support you need, regardless of what’s causing you worrying symptoms
Let people know you have dementia, if an assessment leads to a diagnosis. Find out more here
Find out what type of dementia you have, if you’re diagnosed
Make life easier by making adjustments to your home and life
Plan for the future. This might include getting your affairs in order and making a will
Potentially start treatment that might help
3 steps to getting a diagnosis
If you’re worried about dementia, you may be at a loss as to what to do next. So, here we explain how you go about being assessed.
Step 1: Tell a loved one
It’s a lot easier to face your fears when you have support and are not worrying about symptoms alone. Speak to someone you trust about getting an assessment for dementia – share your worries. You can ask them to attend appointments with you for support, too.
Write down what issues you’re experiencing. Include dates of when they started, too. Ask a loved one to help you with this and include:
Your symptoms, i.e. the problems you’re having
When your issues started – dates/times
How your symptoms affect your everyday life
Also note down if anyone in your family has experienced similar issues.
Step 2: Make a GP appointment
Speak to your GP about the issues you’re worried about. Take your list of symptoms and ask someone to go with you, if at all possible.
Also take a list of any pre-existing medical issues you’ve been diagnosed with plus a record of any medication you’re on. Tell the receptionist why you need an appointment so they can allocate you the right amount of time.
On your first visit your GP may do some brief tests. For example, he or she will ask you some questions and may ask you to name some common objects in a picture, or to complete a drawing. You might be given a concentration test, too and your doctor may do a physical examination.
Step 3: Go for further testing
Your GP might send you for blood and/or urine tests to rule out other reasons for the issues you’re experiencing.
If your GP has reason to believe you might have dementia, he might refer you on for further tests with a specialist at either a hospital, clinic or GP surgery (depending on where you live).
If your GP doesn’t refer you on for further tests, you can request it by asking for a second opinion. You can also speak to a dementia specialist nurse for advice by calling Dementia UK on 0800 8886678.
If you’re referred on for further specialist tests, it’s best to ask someone to go with you. These kind of assessment tests can take time and typically involve:
Mental ability tests – looking at shapes, solving problems, using your memory
Scans – doctors might order a scan to look for changes in your brain. There are several types of diagnostic brain scan (including MRI,CT and PET) and it’s common to have to wait to receive another appointment to have one
Blood tests - after these tests the specialist should explain the findings and discuss what happens next.