People with dementia are provided with a diagnosis for the specific dementia type.

People with dementia will be provided with a specific diagnosis of your type of dementia, even if you have a rare form of dementia or unusual symptoms, are under 60 years of age or living in a care home. This may come from your GP, a Memory Assessment Service, or another specialist service provider such as Neurology. There may be a number of different health care specialities involved where diagnoses are complex.
Download a printable PDF version of the Understanding Different Types of Dementia infographic (PDF, 2M).
For extra information, evidence and best practice please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Regional offerings

Cerebral Function Unit for Greater Manchester

The Cerebral Function Unit, located in Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centre at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, is a GM referral centre for the investigation and diagnosis of degenerative neurological disorder. In Greater Manchester, Memory Assessment Services can refer in to the Cerebral Function Unit for more complex presentations for specialist assessment when requiring a diganosis
Website: http://www.cerebralfunctionunit.co.uk/

Young Onset and Rarer Forms of Dementia

It is estimated there are over 42,000 people in the UK diagnosed with young onset dementia (a diagnosis received under the age of 65). Having young onset dementia brings unique challenges. We are lucky to have a specialist diagnostic centre at the Salford Cerebral Function Unit however referrals from across Greater Manchester vary. People under the age of 65 are more likely to still be working and possibly have younger families and financial commitments. As young onset dementia is rare compared to dementia over the age of 65, services are often not age appropriate.
Weblink: https://dementia-united.org.uk/young-onset-and-rarer-forms/

Frontotemporal dementia support videos

Our Stockport older people's mental health team have worked with carers to develop a series of videos, with advice and information about frontotemporal dementia.

Frontotemporal dementia is an uncommon type of dementia that causes problems with behaviour and language.

These videos are in three parts, each featuring stories from carers of people with frontotemporal dementia, along with advice from our experts. Click on the links to watch them on YouTube:

Understanding sensory changes in dementia:

Fundamental needs in dementia:

Primary Progressive Aphasia support video

We've made a short video with Dementia United to explain how speech and language therapy can help people diagnoses with primary progressive aphasia (PPA).

PPA is a rare form of dementia that often affects your communication. From using your phone to make reminders, to carrying a small notebook with important phrases, there's plenty of things you can do to support yourself:

Understanding sensory changes in dementia:

National offerings

Lewy Body Society

The Lewy Body Society is a charity whose mission is to fund research into Lewy body dementia and to raise awareness of the disease. The website provides information, support, resources and advice.
Telephone: 01942 914000
Weblink: https://www.lewybody.org/

MSNAP Memory Assessment Service Standards

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have a national accreditation programme for Memory Services against key standards. The website outlines the standards and the process.
Weblink: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/improving-care/ccqi/quality-networks-accreditation/memory-services-national-accreditation-programme-msnap/msnap-standards

Rare Dementia Support

Rare Dementia Support (RDS) is a world-leading, UK-based service led by the UCL Dementia Research Centre (DRC). We aim to empower, guide and inform people living with a rare dementia diagnosis and those who care about them.
Weblink: https://www.raredementiasupport.org/

Young Dementia UK

Support for young onset dementia (under 65); providing relevant information and also shares individual stories. This is also part of Dementia UK.
Telephone: Dementia UK Telephone: 0800 88 6678
Email: direct@dementiauk.org
Weblink: https://www.dementiauk.org/about-dementia/young-onset-dementia/

Healthwatch

Healthwatch is your health and social care champion. If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other support services, we want to hear about your experiences. As an independent statutory body, we have the power to make sure NHS leaders and other decision makers listen to your feedback and improve standards of care. Last year we helped nearly a million people like you to have your say and get the information and advice you need.
Telephone: Call: 03000 683 000 between the hours of 08:30 – 17:30 Monday to Friday
Email: enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk
Weblink: https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/your-local-healthwatch/list

Parkinsons UK

We are Parkinson's UK. Powered by people. Funded by you. Improving life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s. Together we'll find a cure.
Telephone: Call on 0808 800 0303
Email: hello@parkinsons.org.uk
Weblink: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/

Young onset Dementia: Decision-making guide for GPs

The Young Dementia Network has developed a Decision-making guide for GPs, endorsed by the Royal College of GPs, to aid the recognition of the symptoms of dementia in younger people.

Website: https://www.youngdementianetwork.org/resources/guide-gps/

What are Lewy bodies?

A children’s book about Lewy bodies written by award-winning author Alex Winstanley and illustrated by Yogesh Mahajan.

A new book to help children understand Lewy body dementia is available to purchase Children's Book - What are Lewy bodies? (includes P&P) - The Lewy Body Society

Every book sold helps to promote awareness and fund research into Lewy body dementia.

The book is a partnership between The Lewy Body Society and Alex Winstanley.

Evidence

Royal College of Psychiatrists (2020) MSNAP Standards for Memory Services: "The Memory Assessment Service has access to in-depth assessment of occupational functioning and neuropsychological assessment as required, e.g., for young onset dementia, complex or abnormal presentations”

Alzheimer's Society: “There are lots of ways we can support people to live well with dementia…diagnosis goes hand in hand with understanding the causes of dementia”

Research paper, Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis of Dementia: "Specific features of the history, examination, and investigations can assist in the differential diagnosis of dementia. After reversible conditions have been ruled out, the clinician should attempt to make a specific diagnosis of dementia type. The most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia."

Best Practice Resources

Differential diagnosis of dementia fact sheet: https://www.pssru.ac.uk/pub/MCpdfs/Differential_diagnosis_factsheet.pdf

Types of Dementia: - https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/dementia-information/types-of-dementia/

Young Onset Dementia Pathway: - https://www.youngdementianetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Young-onset-dementia-pathway-03-2022-FINAL.pdf

GP FAQs on diagnosing in care homes: - https://dementia-united.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/10/faq-care-home-dementia.pdf

DiADeM tool for GPs diagnosing advanced dementia in care homes: - http://www.yhscn.nhs.uk/media/PDFs/mhdn/Dementia/Dementia%20Diagnosis/2016/DiADeM/DiADeM%20Tool%20Final%2002092016.pdf

Diagnosing during Covid-19 pandemic: - https://dementia-united.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/12/MSA-A-New-Way-of-Working-revised-Dec-2020.pdf

Prisons and dementia: - https://www.dementiaaction.org.uk/assets/0003/4619/Prisons_and_Dementia_-_DAA_briefing_paper.pdf