It has been identified that you may be experiencing some difficulties with your memory. This may be affecting your daily life or the life of a family member.

If you do not wish to give consent for a memory assessment, please tell your nurse. If you do not wish to know the results but would still like the investigations to be completed, please let us know.

What is a memory assessment for?

The memory assessment is used to investigate whether you may have a cognitive disorder, such as dementia.

What will happen during the memory assessment?

Working closely with you, we may complete the following:

• a blood test, if required, to identify other possible causes of memory loss
• an assessment for anxiety and depression, to rule out mental health
• a short memory assessment to see how you score
• a questionnaire called the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), which is completed by a family member or someone who knows you well
• a computed tomography (CT) scan, if required.

Once the assessment is complete, your nurse will discuss the findings with the mental health team.

A possible diagnosis will then be considered and we will assess whether you meet the criteria for a treatment plan.

What this means for you

Possible benefits

• possible medication
• access to benefits
• council tax reductions or exemptions
• future planning.

Possible implications

• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) assessment for driving
• putting a Power of Attorney (POA) in place
• life and travel insurance premiums may increase, or insurance may not be available
• a lifelong diagnosis of a progressive condition.

What happens after diagnosis?

• your nurse will discuss the consultant's findings with you
• you will be given information about your diagnosis and how to live well with it
• a letter will be sent to your GP
• a referral will be made to the Dementia Co-ordinators, who can help you access services and benefits you may be entitled to.

Research

If you would like to take part in dementia research, please let us know.