Visit a specialist
The GP may refer you to see a specialist doctor for specialist assessment.
Types of specialist doctors the GP may refer you to include:
- Geriatricians specialise in health care of older people.
- Neurologists specialise in diseases of the brain and nervous system. Some neurologists have expertise in diagnosing dementia.
- Old age psychiatrists specialise in the mental health of older people, and also dementia.
- Psychiatrists – specialise in diagnosing and treating mental health problems as well as dementia. If you are under 65 years of age, you may be referred to a psychiatrist.
You may also be referred to a Memory Clinic (known as Cognitive Decline Assessment Service or Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) in Victoria). These clinics provide multidisciplinary dementia assessment. Find a memory clinic or Cognitive Decline Assessment Service in your location.
Other professionals you may see during your assessment include:
- nurses
- psychologists or neuropsychologists
- occupational therapists
- social workers
- dementia advisers (professionals who provide information, advice and guidance to people with dementia and their carers).
A specialist assessment may be longer and more comprehensive than a GP assessment, but usually involves a similar process. The specialist may organise further tests and investigations.
Sometimes you might be told the outcome on your first visit to the specialist, other times you might need to return after the specialist gets all the test results.
You’ll often be asked to bring a support person to the specialist assessment.
