Getting a dementia diagnosis
About dementia diagnosis
The information on these pages is for anyone who is concerned about symptoms of dementia, and those who would like more information about how dementia is diagnosed. Anyone concerned about their health should speak to their GP as soon as possible.
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I keep forgetting things. Have I got dementia?
Most of us forget things every day. We might forget the name of someone we just met, where we put our keys or why we walked into a room.
People of all ages experience these things. Many people find this gets more common with age, or worry more about forgetfulness as they get older.
However, this type of forgetfulness is not usually a sign of dementia.
We can also experience problems with our thinking from time to time. We might find it hard to concentrate on something we are trying to do, or struggle to follow a conversation we are having.
Memory and thinking problems that are noticed by others and start to have an effect on everyday life may be a sign of something more serious like dementia. But there are other causes of memory and thinking problems too.
What is dementia?
The word dementia describes a group of symptoms that get worse over time. Typical symptoms include changes in:
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memory
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thinking
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judgement
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emotions
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visual skills
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language
In the early stages of dementia these changes can be very subtle, but over time they get worse and become more noticeable.
Symptoms begin to have an impact on a person’s everyday life, making daily activities harder.
Dementia is not a disease itself. It is caused by different underlying diseases that affect the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, or a combination of these diseases.
Over time, damage to the brain spreads and gets worse. This causes problems with the way our brains function, leading to the symptoms of dementia. These will impact a person’s everyday life and make it more difficult for them to do things they used to find easy.
Worried about your memory and thinking?
Download the resources below, fill them out and take them to your doctors appointment. They should help you to explain your symptoms.
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PDF, 248.02 KB, 1 page
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PDF, 577.71 KB, 1 page
Both of Deborah's parents were diagnosed with dementia. Below, she talks about when she started thinking it was the right time to speak to a doctor.
Why is it important to get a dementia diagnosis?
But getting a diagnosis of dementia and seeking help early is important for three key reasons:
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Someone will be able to access the right help, treatments, and support services as soon as possible.
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They have more time to plan for the future, to make important decisions about legal and financial matters, and future care options.
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They may also be more suitable for certain research studies, including clinical trials, should they wish to take part.
Getting a diagnosis can help someone and their loved ones understand what is causing symptoms, and this can be a relief.
It means that people can take steps to ensure they can live independently and as well as possible. This can help to improve their quality of life.
Below you can hear from Valli, whose husband Des lives with dementia. She shares some valuable information about what to do if you’re worried about yourself or a loved one.
Over time, damage to the brain spreads and gets worse. This causes problems with the way our brains function, leading to the symptoms of dementia. These will impact a person’s everyday life and make it more difficult for them to do things they used to find easy.
Below you can hear about from Chris about his mum's diagnosis of Alzheimer's, and why it was so important to his family.
No two people experience dementia the same. If you are worried about any of the symptoms mentioned on this page, talk to your doctor.
How is dementia diagnosed?
You can speak to your GP if you have concerns about dementia symptoms. They may carry out some tests, like memory and thinking tests and blood tests.
If your GP suspects you have dementia, they may refer you to a memory clinic for more tests.
Visual problems are an early symptom of a rare type of dementia called posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). This means that many people with this condition go to the optician first, as they think it is a problem with their eyesight.
If you have problems seeing and your optician cannot find anything wrong, you can talk to your GP.
What if someone is reluctant to see their GP about memory problems?
Some people may not want to see their GP or may not realise they are experiencing memory and thinking problems. This can make it difficult to encourage them to get a diagnosis.
To support someone you are concerned about you can:
Below, you can hear from Claire, Chris and Deborah about how they persuaded their loved ones to see a doctor, and why getting a diagnosis of dementia is so important.
Research is the only way we'll find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat dementia and scientists need your help.(opens in new tab)
Without people volunteering to take part in research, finding a cure would be impossible. Find out more.
Getting a dementia diagnosis
Dementia information
Find out more about symptoms of dementia and how to get a diagnosis through your GP.
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PDF, 882.43 KB, 13 pages
Order health information
Alzheimer's Research UK has a wide range of information about dementia. Order booklets or download them from our online form.
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This information was updated in November 2025 and is due for review in November 2027. It was written by Alzheimer's Research UK's Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you'd like a referenced copy.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
