The experience of dementia

This chapter consists of four sections that consider various aspects of the journey through dementia. The first two parts (by Keith Oliver and Hilary Doxford) describe the early stages of dementia, the process of getting a diagnosis, and the challenges of living well with dementia. The third section (Louise Lafortune and Carol Brayne) discusses the tensions between ‘early’ and ‘timely’ diagnosis, and also the issues that arise from having biomarkers that potentially enable us to diagnose conditions like Alzheimer’s disease before a person has any concerns or symptoms. At the moment, there is little evidence that people stand to benefit greatly in a diagnosis before the emergence of clinical symptoms. June Hennell concludes the chapter by describing her journey as a carer and adjusting to life after bereavement. The chapter thus provides a balanced and authentic view of how people respond to the impact of diagnosis and life afterwards.