It can be difficult to know when to step in. You may have noticed repeated conversations, missed appointments, confusion, changes in mood, or difficulty managing daily tasks. Your relative may be aware of the changes, or they may feel worried, defensive or unsure why an assessment is needed.
At ADHD Health Clinic, private dementia assessments are designed to help patients and families understand what may be happening and agree clear next steps.
A dementia or memory assessment may be helpful if your parent, partner or relative is experiencing:
Talking about memory problems can feel uncomfortable. Some people may already be worried. Others may not recognise the changes or may feel criticised.
It can help to:
For example, instead of saying “you need a dementia test”, it may be better to say:
“You seem to have been finding a few things harder recently. It might be worth speaking to a specialist so we can understand what is going on and what support might help.”
Yes. In many cases, it is very helpful for a relative, partner, carer or close friend to attend.
They may be able to provide examples of changes in memory, thinking, communication, behaviour or day-to-day functioning. This can help the clinician build a fuller picture, especially if the person being assessed is finding it hard to explain what has changed.
For ADHD Health Clinic’s online dementia assessment, attendance with a carer, relative or family member who knows the patient well is strongly recommended.
Private dementia and memory assessments for adults experiencing memory changes, confusion, word-finding difficulties or cognitive concerns.
Before the assessment, it can be useful to gather:
An online dementia assessment may be suitable if your relative is comfortable using video appointments, finds travel difficult, or would feel more relaxed attending from home.
An in-person dementia assessment may be more suitable if your relative would prefer face-to-face contact, finds online appointments difficult, or has more complex needs that may be easier to discuss in clinic.
If you are unsure which option is most appropriate, consider practical factors such as travel, confidence with technology, hearing or communication needs, and whether a family member or carer can attend.
After the assessment, the clinician will explain their findings and recommend next steps.
This may include:
NICE guidance covers dementia assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers, underlining the importance of considering both the person affected and those supporting them.
ADHD Health Clinic is not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 999 immediately. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111.
For non-urgent enquiries during working hours, you can reach our admin team at admin@adhdhealthclinic.co.uk.
