7. Recognise

10 key steps

Recognise; assess; refer

Questions to consider

how can we improve recognition of memory problems?
how can we improve diagnosis of dementia?
how can we improve the management of our patients’ care?

DRIVER: Proactive, responsive primary care services

Actions	Resources	Examples
Introduce targeted screening for key groups, e.g. frail elderly people, including older carers people with long term conditions patients in care homes patients with cardiovascular disease patients with Huntingdon’s Disease or Parkinson’s disease older adults with depression adults with learning disabilities patients presenting with memory problems, or mild cognitive impairment Initiate targeted screening via, annual checks for over-65s over-75 health checks ‘flu clinics reviews of clinic registers	CMG48: Support for commissioning of dementia care NICE Clinical guideline CG42 Dementia: supporting people with dementia and their carers in health and social care	Bristol dementia practice incentive scheme An NHS Bristol incentive scheme which has achieve over 50% sign up and from those practices, nearly 250 people were identified as having dementia and added to the registers. The biggest improvement was 37 people in one practice (2012-13). Read more » Dementia link nurses in West Kent This project will support dementia Link nurses in West Kent to work in primary care and proactively identify, diagnose, triage and assess people with dementia and provide appropriate prescribing and post diagnostic support. Read more » Early identification of people with dementia and their carers in Torbay This report presents findings of a Torbay pilot project and recommends that all carers of newly diagnosed patients with dementia should be offered an enhanced health check at the time of diagnosis. Read more » Enhancing the early diagnosis of dementia across East Berkshire This project aims to improve the early diagnosis of dementia by increasing the number of initial screening assessments and raising awareness about the benefits of assessment and early diagnosis as part of an overarching Aging Well campaign across East Berkshire. Read more » Specialist Link Nurses in Surrey Downs This project aims to increase diagnosis rates in the Surrey Downs community by adopting an innovative approach of using Specialist Link Nurses. Read more »
Review annually patients who have presented with Mild Cognitive Impairment (Eu057). Maintain a register of people with suspected dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Review regularly within primary care, or via referral for a specialist memory assessment.	CMG48: Support for commissioning of dementia care Mild cognitive impairment factsheet	Bristol dementia practice incentive scheme An NHS Bristol incentive scheme which has achieve over 50% sign up and from those practices, nearly 250 people were identified as having dementia and added to the registers. The biggest improvement was 37 people in one practice (2012-13). Read more » Dementia link nurses in West Kent This project will support dementia Link nurses in West Kent to work in primary care and proactively identify, diagnose, triage and assess people with dementia and provide appropriate prescribing and post diagnostic support. Read more » Specialist Link Nurses in Surrey Downs This project aims to increase diagnosis rates in the Surrey Downs community by adopting an innovative approach of using Specialist Link Nurses. Read more »
Run a real time audit with Primary Health Care Team to check, and follow up on cases involving or patients presenting with falls possible carer strain older patients failing to attend appointments older patients failing to collect, or take dispensed medications patients in community hospitals patients in care homes presenting with confusion, depression, problems thinking, reasoning, struggling to follow up conversations, forgetfulness, other changes in mood and cognition problems with self care		Specialist Link Nurses in Surrey Downs This project aims to increase diagnosis rates in the Surrey Downs community by adopting an innovative approach of using Specialist Link Nurses. Read more »
Consider the needs of patients from Black and minority ethnic groups, where cultural differences may affect the timeliness of presentation.	Palliative and end of life care for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in the UK	Culturally sensitive dementia liaison in Gloucestershire Engagement with local black and minority ethnic groups in Gloucestershire has led to better understanding of the needs of people with memory problems, and living with dementia. Read more » Pathways 4 Life, Walsall Pathways 4 Life dementia support worker service for hard to reach groups is a partnership initiative between the Accord Group and Age UK Walsall offering dementia support and advice to Black and Minority Ethnic groups (BME) in Walsall. Read more »