Screenings if you have dementia
MedlinePlus says dementia usually occurs in older age, most types are rare in people under age 60, and the risk increases as a person gets older. (MedlinePlus) The NHS says 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK have dementia. (NHS) This page covers the checks offered to people already living with dementia, not medicines, care settings or treatment. Memory testing before a diagnosis is on memory screening (Mini-Cog and MoCA).
Follow-up review after diagnosis
NICE says that after a person is diagnosed with dementia, they and their family members or carers (as appropriate) should have access to a memory service or an equivalent multidisciplinary dementia service, and that these services should offer a choice of flexible access or prescheduled monitoring appointments. (NICE NG97) NICE also says that when people living with dementia or their carers have a primary care appointment, the clinician should assess for any emerging dementia-related needs and ask whether they need more support. (NICE NG97) NICE says the person's care and support plan should state when and how often it will be reviewed and should cover the management of any other conditions. (NICE NG97)
The NHS says that after a diagnosis the GP should arrange to see you from time to time to check how you're managing, and that a follow-up appointment checks how the dementia is progressing and whether you have any new care needs. (NHS diagnosis) See questions to ask your doctor.
Hearing
NICE says to consider referring adults with diagnosed or suspected dementia to an audiology service for a hearing assessment because hearing loss may be a comorbid condition, and to consider referring adults with diagnosed dementia for a hearing assessment every 2 years if they have not previously been diagnosed with hearing loss. (NICE NG98) The NHS lists regular hearing check-ups among the ways to live well with dementia. (NHS living well) See hearing tests by age and hearing test: what to expect.
Eye tests
NICE says to encourage people living with dementia to have an eye test soon after diagnosis if they have not had one recently, and then every 2 years, and to consider referring people who cannot organise appointments themselves. (NICE NG97) The NHS lists regular dental, eyesight and hearing check-ups. (NHS living well) See eye exams by age and eye exam: what to expect.
Pain assessment
NICE says to consider a structured observational pain assessment tool alongside self-reported pain and standard clinical assessment for people living with moderate to severe dementia, and alongside standard clinical assessment for people who are unable to self-report pain. (NICE NG97) NICE says to repeat pain assessments for people who seem to be in pain, who show behavioural changes that may be caused by pain, and after any pain management intervention. (NICE NG97)
Falls
For managing the risk of falling in people living with dementia, NICE NG97 points to the NICE guideline on falls in older people, and says to take account of the additional support people living with dementia may need to take part, and to be aware that multifactorial falls interventions may not be suitable for a person living with severe dementia. (NICE NG97) See fall risk screening.
Mood and sudden confusion
The NHS says depression is very common in dementia. (NHS living well) MedlinePlus lists severe depression among the problems a provider may look for that can cause dementia symptoms or make them worse. (MedlinePlus) The NHS says things like chest or urine infections can make you feel very confused if they're not treated promptly, and to see your GP if you feel unwell. (NHS living well) NICE says to be aware of the increased risk of delirium in people living with dementia who are admitted to hospital. (NICE NG97) See depression screening: what to expect and mental health screenings by age.
Usual screening and when it may stop
NICE says to ensure that people living with dementia have equivalent access to diagnosis, treatment and care services for other conditions as people who do not have dementia. (NICE NG97) The NHS says people with a long-term condition such as diabetes or coronary heart disease should try to attend regular check-ups with their GP. (NHS living well)
The sources on this page do not set a separate cancer screening schedule for people with dementia. The general stopping rules use overall health and life expectancy:
- Colorectal. The USPSTF says to selectively screen adults aged 76 to 85, considering overall health (life expectancy, comorbid conditions), prior screening history and preferences. (USPSTF, 2021) The American Cancer Society says people in good health with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular screening through age 75, the decision at 76 through 85 should be based on preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history, and people over age 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening. (ACS, 2026)
- Breast. The American Cancer Society says screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years. (ACS, 2026)
See when to stop screening for every test, preventive screenings for older adults and cancer screenings by age.
When to contact a provider
MedlinePlus, Dementia, when to contact a medical professional: (MedlinePlus)
- Contact your provider if: Dementia symptoms develop or a sudden change in mental status occurs; The condition of a person with dementia gets worse; You are unable to care for a person with dementia at home.
Where they differ:
- Memory screening without symptoms. The USPSTF says the evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for cognitive impairment in community-dwelling adults 65 and older without recognized signs or symptoms (I statement); (USPSTF, 2020) NICE says to only conduct case finding for suspected dementia as part of a clinical trial that also provides an intervention to people diagnosed with dementia. (NICE NG97) Neither applies to the checks for people already diagnosed listed above.
- Colorectal screening after 85. The American Cancer Society says people over age 85 should no longer get colorectal cancer screening; (ACS, 2026) the USPSTF recommendation covers adults up to age 85 and makes the decision at 76 to 85 selective. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Hearing and eye intervals. NICE sets a 2-year interval for hearing assessment and eye tests; (NICE NG98)(NICE NG97) the NHS patient page says regular check-ups without naming an interval. (NHS living well)
Your doctor decides what your result means for you.
Questions people ask
How often should someone with dementia have a hearing test?
NICE says to consider referring adults with diagnosed dementia to an audiology service for a hearing assessment every 2 years if they have not previously been diagnosed with hearing loss. (NICE NG98)
How often should someone with dementia have an eye test?
NICE says to encourage people living with dementia to have an eye test soon after diagnosis if they have not had one recently, and then every 2 years, and to consider referring people who cannot organise appointments themselves. (NICE NG97)
Does a dementia diagnosis mean cancer screening stops?
Not by itself in the sources on this page. NICE says people living with dementia should have equivalent access to diagnosis, treatment and care services for other conditions. For people aged 76 to 85, the USPSTF says the colorectal screening decision should take into account overall health, including life expectancy and other conditions, and the American Cancer Society says breast screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years. (NICE NG97) (USPSTF, 2021) (ACS, 2026)
Is the memory test repeated after diagnosis?
NICE says memory services should offer a choice of flexible access or prescheduled monitoring appointments, and the NHS says follow-up appointments check how the dementia is progressing and whether there are new care needs. Neither sets a fixed schedule for repeat memory tests. (NICE NG97) (NHS diagnosis)