Diagnosing and memory assessment

If you have ongoing concerns about your memory or cognitive issues, you might want to: 

• keep a record of what is happening to you - this maybe something someone you know can help you with 
• talk with your GP about it - if needed, they can do a brief memory assessment and talk about your options for a full memory assessment if needed. 

Full memory assessment

If you need more assessment of your memory you might be referred to the Hillingdon Memory Service at Hillingdon Hospital.

You will be asked questions looking at:

• your memory
• your physical and emotional well-being
• how you are managing in your day to day life.

It will also be helpful for the team to talk with a member of your family, or somebody else close to you, to help understand how your memory might have changed. You might be asked to have a head scan at the Hospital, and you might also be offered further memory tests.

Diagnosis

The information from all of your assessments is discussed by the Memory Service, who will use the assessment to reach a conclusion.

There are a range of possible diagnoses related to changes in memory, some of which include Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia.

There are also diagnoses that are not related to dementia, such as changes in memory linked to other physical health conditions and needs and memory changes related to emotional needs such as stress and anxiety.

Once a diagnosis has been made, this will be discussed with you, and shared with anyone else who you would like to know about it. Treatment and support will be discussed with you, and the Hillingdon Memory Service might arrange for referrals to other services to support you.