There is no need to emphasise the need for  early detection and diagnosis of dementia and subsequent good and effective management and care provisions , as and when necessary. <>

Dementia mainly affects people  in older age and nearly 20% of individuals above 80 are  either suffering or will suffer from its dreadful effects. Quite  appropriately the authorities are concerned and are  encouraging an 'early detection of dementia' with the hope that measures taken at that stage might arrest its full development later. This is laudible.  >

Unfortunately, however the methods commonly deployed are  not  entirely based on  good research based evidence ; the true fact is proper good quality long term reasearch study has not yet been carried out in this area. Many are jumping the gun a bit too soon  and  organisations  with 'vested interest'  are  encouraging  quick and early diagnosis ; after all  old age and dementia is a very lucrative field!!> 

Furthermore  too many cases diagnosed 'early' are  skewing the statistics and planning for care - some of which may be totally unnecessary,  yet causing a lot of anxiety and fear.  Of course  attempts must ne made to diagnose  dementia  early and correctly - unfortuantely the methods currently used are not all necessarily evidence-based!  A degree of  caution and restraint is desirable and  more in depth scientific research and evaluation by  neutral bodies  are urgently needed.