Diagnosing dementia, along with which type of dementia somebody has, will help ensure that they can get the right support and treatment for their needs. An early diagnosis of dementia can also help to plan for the future. If you have concerns that your parent or elderly relative is showing symptoms of dementia, their GP is the first person to contact.
If the GP also suspects dementia, then they will refer your relative to a memory clinic or specialist to obtain an accurate diagnosis. These specialists may include old age psychiatrists, geriatricians, neurologists, clinical psychologists and memory nurses.
Early signs of dementia
Dementia does not always show in the same way for everybody. Factors such as personality, general health and social situation are all important factors in determining the impact of the dementia. Although it affects people differently, the most common symptoms of dementia are:
- Memory loss
- Problems with speech and reading
- Disorientation of place and time
- Issues with keeping track of things
- Misplacing items
- Changes in mood, behaviour and personality
- Depression
- Becoming confused easily
Getting a diagnosis of dementia may be a lengthy process. Whilst it is ongoing, we can help you with some personalised support. Answer a few quick questions and we’ll help you understand what to expect next.
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Tests for diagnosing dementia
There are different tests available to help with dementia diagnosis that can be arranged by the GP:
Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE)
This is a widely used test which is used to assess a number of different mental abilities, including:
- Short and long term memory
- Attention span
- Concentration
- Language and communication skills
- Ability to plan
- Ability to understand instructions
This examination is not used to directly test for dementia. However, it is used to assess the level of mental impairment that the individual with dementia may have. This may be continued over different time points to check for any deterioration.
Blood tests for dementia
If it is suspected that someone has dementia, the specialist may suggest a blood test to check their overall level of health. These blood tests can also rule out other conditions which could be causing their symptoms.
If you have a relative living with dementia then you could benefit from looking at BrainGuide. BrainGuide has been created by UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and is a free 10 minute questionnaire designed to help families take the best next steps in managing their own or a loved one’s brain health. Each person who uses BrainGuide receives a set of resources that are tailored to their responses.
Dementia brain scans
Once other simpler tests such as the MMSE and blood test have ruled out any other conditions, then the doctor may suggest a brain scan. There are two different scans – the first is a CT scan, this will look to make sure that it is not a stroke or brain tumour that is causing the symptoms, but will not say if the person has dementia. The second type of scan is a MRI scan. This will be able to confirm a diagnosis of dementia by looking at the structure of the brain.
While NHS memory services remain the most common route to a dementia diagnosis, many families consider a private dementia assessment to avoid long waiting times and gain faster access to specialist advice.
After diagnosis – a dementia care plan
Once dementia has been diagnosed, you will likely have many questions about the short and long term future. It’s important to ask the doctor about local services that can help support the family as part of a dementia care plan.
This care plan should also look at other health conditions that need monitoring, as well as who within the social care team will coordinate the different types of support that the person may need. It should then be reviewed at least once a year. Plus, your parents may be entitled to financial benefits and other types of support.
We know how it feels when a loved one receives a diagnosis of dementia. Try not to panic. There is lots of information and support out there to help you understand dementia and how to help those who have it. Our dementia section includes a wide range of resources and information, such as understanding dementia, the treatments to help, to helping someone with dementia to eat more.
Legal considerations
As dementia progresses there is the chance that the person with dementia loses the capacity to make decisions for themselves, like choosing care options, handling banking or writing their will. After getting a dementia diagnosis, it may be a good idea to also look into financial planning. For instance, setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney, in case someone loses mental capacity further on, allows them to choose who can make decisions on their behalf.
Download a free info pack on Lasting Power of Attorney
Honey Legal, Age Space’s legal experts, can help guide you through the Lasting Power of Attorney Process.
Download a free guide that explains the process step-by-step
Expert advice on dementia
We understand that dementia has an impact on the entire family. Take a read of our dementia guide for families where we can tell you the things you really need to know.
Remember that you are not alone. There are people that can help and have information and experience with the disease. You can share your experience on our dementia forum.
You can also listen to our dementia episode on the Age Space Podcast. We spoke with Dr Alex Bailey, an older age psychologist working in Westminster, who shared his insight into memory services available, supporting those with dementia and protecting against the risk factors of dementia. You can listen to this episode for free here.
Symptoms of the natural ageing process may appear to be similar to many of these, but should not be confused with dementia. We have put together a list of the early signs of dementia, which gives more precise symptoms to look out for.
Get your next steps
Whether you have a diagnosis of dementia or not we can help you look ahead with a plan.
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What to do next
While it’s better to know the diagnosis, dealing with dementia is still traumatic and demanding. Here are the next practical steps you can take.
- After receiving a dementia diagnosis, it is important to get legal affairs in order, such as a Power of Attorney (a legal document that allows someone else to make decisions on your behalf), which will make future care much easier to manage.
- Get a care assessment from the local authority. This will determine what kind of care is needed (washing, dressing, food preparation etc.), and, with an associated financial assessment, how it will be funded.
- To provide better support, take a look at some dementia living aids that can help make living with the disease easier.
- As a dementia carer, you should have a good support network around you. Ensure that you try to balance your care responsibilities with time for yourself.
Dementia life expectancy | Understanding how dementia progresses is one of the hardest topics for families to think about. But facing these hard truths, as explained in this article, can contribute to longer average survival and help you plan for the future.
This article has been written using information from trusted organisations. Their guidance helps ensure the information here is accurate and reflects current UK law and best practice.
- Alzheimer’s Association Report, 2025 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures, April 2025.
- NHS, What is dementia, July 2023.
- NHS, Tests for diagnosing dementia, July 2023.
- National Library of Medicine, Major Neurocognitive Disorder (Dementia), November 2022.
