Pitfalls

Failure to recognise early features suggestive of dementia can lead to:

• Lack of investigation to exclude potentially reversible pathologies
• Delayed assessment by specialist services
• Delay to implementing helpful pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies

Delay to engaging patients and carers with appropriate support networks can result in:

• Missing the opportunity to make legal and financial decisions while the patient maintains capacity
• A lack of vigilance required when caring for a patient such as assessing their fitness to drive and to perform certain tasks at work

These pitfalls can be avoided by raising awareness of the features and implications of dementia amongst emergency care providers.