Assessment and Diagnosis

Real stories

Jitendra in Bradford is grateful for the support he’s had since his dementia diagnosis – from professionals, family and friends.

Advice
The main difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia is that Alzheimer’s is a disease in the brain, whereas dementia is a collection of symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease causes cognitive decline, eventually leading to dementia. It’s the most common reason why people get dementia.
Information
There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, but more than a third of people with the condition do not have a diagnosis. The number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Research

Getting an early and accurate dementia diagnosis will only become more important as new treatments become available, so research into this area is vital.

Information

We read Timothy West’s book about life with his wife Prunella Scales, including since she developed dementia.

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Find out more about our position on dementia diagnosis in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, and our focus on early and accurate diagnosis.

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Real stories

Gill Taylor, who was initially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, started an art group for people with dementia.

Real stories
Koula spoke to a doctor after noticing problems with her memory, but it took several years for her to get a diagnosis of young-onset Alzheimer's disease. Her daughter Zoe explains the challenges they've faced and what a diagnosis means for them both.
Research
There is currently no cure for dementia, but recognising the early signs and symptoms is still very important. We explore why spotting the early signs matters for everyone affected by dementia and why we support research to improve diagnosis.