Families Face Months-Long Delays Before Receiving Dementia Diagnosis

According to a recent Alzheimer's Society survey, many relatives of people with dementia endure prolonged waits—sometimes years—before a formal diagnosis is confirmed. Nearly 50% of respondents reported waiting more than six months after their first GP visit, affecting their finances, work and mental health. Personal accounts, including Michael Fethon’s 18-month wait for his father Jim and Keith Andrews’ year-long delay for his wife Sue, highlight how earlier diagnosis could enable timely medication and clearer care planning.

The charity is lobbying for a national benchmark that would ensure an accurate diagnosis within 18 weeks of referral, aligning dementia with conditions like cancer. The Department of Health and Social Care said the government is fast-tracking Baroness Casey’s social-care reform commission and will appoint a dementia tsar, alongside a new action plan for unpaid carers.