Which specialist treats dementia?

Dementia describes a pattern of changes in memory, thinking, communication, or daily function; it is not one single disease. A GP can review medicines, mood, sleep, hearing, physical health, and the timeline of changes. A neurologist may assess brain-related causes, while a geriatrician considers cognition alongside other health needs. An old-age psychiatrist can help when mood, behaviour, distress, or complex decision-making is prominent.

Memory problems can have several causes, so an assessment does not assume dementia. The clinician may speak with you and someone who knows your usual abilities, arrange examination and testing, and decide whether specialist review is useful.

Book a GP Consultation and take a list of medicines, recent illnesses, examples of changes at home, and questions from family members. Note when symptoms began and whether they affect cooking, finances, driving, work, or personal care. Bring hearing aids or glasses if used. Do not stop prescribed medicines without medical advice.

Arrange medical advice soon for gradually worsening memory, getting lost in familiar places, repeated missed medicines, or new difficulty managing everyday tasks. Seek urgent help for sudden confusion, new weakness, trouble speaking, a severe headache, collapse, fever, or a rapid change after a fall or medicine change. These signs can point to a problem needing immediate assessment rather than a routine dementia referral.

Ask which professional will lead the assessment, what reversible causes will be checked, whether a family member should attend, and what support is available while you wait. You can also ask how a diagnosis might affect driving, medicines, advance planning, and follow-up.