Dementia

  • Advanced diagnostics and early detection
  • Access to innovative therapies
  • 99% of our neurology patients trust our care

Enquiries & Appointments

Tests and scans neurology

Dementia at HCA UK

Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we understand that a dementia diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Our expert teams provide personalised, compassionate care, from early diagnosis to pioneering treatments and ongoing support.

With access to leading specialists, advanced diagnostics, and pioneering treatments, we can help you or your loved one maintain independence, and the best possible quality of life.

It’s why 99% of our neurology patients say they have confidence and trust in the care they’ve received.
Dementia is a set of symptoms, including memory loss and language difficulties, that are associated with a continuous decline of brain function. Although they often appear gradually, the symptoms can build over time and start to affect a person’s everyday life.
Dementia can impact a number of areas of a person’s normal daily function so you may notice the number of symptoms increase as the condition progresses. 

Symptoms can include cognitive functions such as mental agility, word recall, memory and understanding, as well as emotional wellbeing, mood swings and interest in social situations. 

With time and progression of the condition, dementia can eventually start to affect body control and functional movements in some individuals, making it more challenging to carry out daily tasks and activities. 

There are a number of types of dementia, including:

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Lewy body dementia
  • Parkinson's disease dementia
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Vascular dementia

In order to confirm the correct diagnosis for your symptoms, your consultant will begin with an overall assessment of your health. They will ask you some questions about your memory and brain function and whether the way you think has started to change.

You may be asked to take neurological tests such as a memory test, which may be repeated at regular intervals. This is to spot any changes in memory over time.

Additional diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and MRI scans, can also help to rule out any other illnesses such as a stroke or bleeding or tumours. We can also run tests to detect abnormal levels of amyloid protein in the brain if Alzheimer’s disease is suspected. You can find out more below.

While dementia cannot be cured, there are a number of treatment options available. Your consultant will the discuss the best options for you or your loved one, including medication to help manage symptoms and slow down onset of the condition, amyloid-targeting therapies if you have early Alzheimer’s disease, occupational therapy to support daily activities and a range of other therapies. See below for details.

 Prostate cancer male patient with nurse

12,000

neurology patients cared for last year.

33%

Amyloid therapies delay progression of Alzheimer’s disease by up to a third in clinical trials.

99%

of our neurology patients say they trust the care of our staff.

Rapid access to expert care

Book your consultation with a leading dementia specialist.

State-of-the-art diagnostics

With results in as little as 48 hours.

Pioneering care

We are one of the few hospital groups in the UK to offer amyloid-targeting therapy for dementia patients.

Worried about dementia?

Get in touch and book a same or next-day GP appointment.

Have a referral and need to book?

You can book a test, scan or treatment today

Unsure of your diagnosis?

Talk to a specialist and get the answers you've been looking for.

Dementia tests and scans at HCA UK

At HCA UK, our advanced diagnostic tests for dementia help provide clear answers, faster. Using state-of-the-art brain imaging, cognitive assessments, and biomarker testing, we pinpoint the cause of symptoms with accuracy, so you and your loved ones can get the right support and treatment as soon as you need it.

Early diagnosis is vital when it comes to dementia, as it means we’re able offer the right intervention at the right time. If you are concerned about a loved one, it's important to raise these issues on their behalf and get a diagnosis. 

The tests and scans we offer for dementia include:

London Bridge Hospital _Sept 23_079.jpg

Fast treatment for dementia at HCA UK

At HCA UK, we offer the very latest treatments to help manage symptoms, slow progression, and improve quality of life. From specialist medications to cognitive therapies and lifestyle support, our expert teams create tailored care plans that put you or your loved one at the centre of every decision.

Treatments we offer include:

Consultation with male patient

Accessing private health care

Nurse listening to male patient

Self-pay

You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them. 
 
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.

Book an appointment

Dementia FAQs

A condition that becomes more common with age, dementia affects one in 15 people between the ages of 70 to 79. That rises to one in five, over the age of 80. The number of people with dementia is likely to increase as people live longer and the population ages.
Dementia is defined by a collection of symptoms, including memory loss and language difficulties, that leads to a progressive decline of brain function over time. This decline can be caused by different diseases, such as Alzheimer's. Symptoms can vary from person to person according to the part of the brain affected.

Many of these symptoms may begin as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) initially, but then become more severe over time and progress into dementia. 

It’s important to remember that dementia is not a natural part of the ageing process but the result of abnormal physiological processes in the brain that lead to gradual neuronal degeneration. That’s why it's so important to get medical help as early as possible to help identify the cause of any symptoms.
Dementia arises from a collection of different diseases that result in progressive cognitive decline. Alzheimer's disease is the most common condition that causes symptoms that lead eventually to dementia.
Although there is no cure for dementia as yet, depending on the type of dementia you or your loved one have, there are a number of treatments and interventions we can offer. These can help manage symptoms, slow the progression of the condition and support the person to maintain more of their brain function for longer. 

Getting an early diagnosis can be really helpful. It’s important to remember that many people with dementia will continue to lead active lives, so it’s important to step in early and offer individuals the right support at the right time.
Our occupational therapists specialise in helping people with dementia maintain independence and improve daily living skills. We offer personalised assessments, home environment adaptations, memory strategies, and practical support for tasks such as dressing, cooking, and mobility. Our goal is always the same – to enhance safety, build confidence, and improve overall quality of life.
You’ll have access to a wide range of supportive therapies to help manage symptoms and enhance wellbeing. These include physiotherapy for mobility support, speech and language therapy for communication challenges, and psychological therapies to address emotional and behavioural changes. We also offer music and art therapy to stimulate cognitive function and promote relaxation.

Dementia care is available across our network of private hospitals and specialist clinics – most of which have a neurologist or geriatric medicine consultant who can help. Our expert teams provide assessments, diagnostic testing, and fully personalised treatment plans, depending on the needs of you or your loved one.
These locations include: 

London Bridge Hospital

The Harborne Hospital

Harley Street Clinic

The Lister Hospital

The Princess Grace Hospital

The Wilmslow Hospital

Canary Wharf Outpatients 

Chiswick Outpatients

Elstree Waterfront Outpatients

Golders Green Outpatients

The Shard Outpatients

The importance of getting an early diagnosis of dementia cannot be overstated to help manage symptoms, access support, and plan for the future. This is especially important in the case of early Alzheimer's disease, as newly available treatments can help slow its progression.

This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.