DementiaRoadmap
Promoting living well with dementia across Scotland
Cognitive tests
There are a variety of cognitive tests that might be used to assess whether a person has a dementia. The GP may do a brief cognitive screen such as the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) in their clinic. If the Community Mental Health Team are asked to assess someone, then they may use a more detailed assessment such as the Addenbrooks Cognitive Examination (ACE). It is important that the person doesn’t doesn’t practice these tests before they are assessed – if they have practiced them, the test will be invalid.
If a very detailed is required, then a Clinical Psychologist in the Community Mental Health Team might do a Neuropsychological Assessment. This will involve a range of different tests which look at the way different parts of someone’s brain is working. A Neuropsychological Assessment can be particularly helpful if the diagnosis unclear, or if the person may have a very rare form of dementia.
Information
- SIGN GuidelinesThe guideline covers: the identification and diagnosis of dementia, investigative procedures, post-diagnostic support, non-pharmacological distressed behaviours, grief and dementia, the changing needs of people with dementia, and palliative approaches.
- Stress and DementiaInformation about the link between stress and dementia
- Dementia ToolkitDementia Toolkit for assessment, diagnosis, care and support for people with dementia and their carers developed by Improvement Scotland / Right Decision Service
Services
- Older Adults Mental Health Team – West DunbartonshireOlder People’s Community Mental Health team serving West Dunbartonshire and the surrounding area. Service supports people with mental health needs including memory problems and dementia.