ABSTRACT
The diagnosis of dementia is the focus of chapter 2. The journey that starts with being worried about abilities, memory and behaviours and leads individuals or their family members to seek help, will eventually lead up to the point when the diagnosis of dementia is given. This chapter discusses the common questions that have been explored by clinicians, policy makers, researchers and people living with dementia and their families: how can the diagnosis be given more quickly, or in a more timely manner? Who should give the diagnosis? Why have there been difficulties in giving the diagnosis? How can professionals improve their skills in giving the diagnosis to the person with dementia? And perhaps most importantly, what can be done to improve the diagnosis experience for the person with the condition and their family?
