[Patient assessment in suspected dementia].

In the near future the number of patients suffering from cognitive impairment and senile dementia will increase because of the change in the structure of population. General practitioners and specialists will be confronted with this problem. The early and differential diagnosis of senile dementia is still a problem. Corresponding with the diagnostic algorithms of ICD 10 and DSM IV the diagnostic procedure is discussed with geriatric, neuro/psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial aspects. The diagnosis also relies on history obtained from family and friends. Although cognitive loss is considered a core symptom of senile dementia, loss of behavioral disinhibition, loss of functional autonomy and mood problems are considered as more important by clinicians and family and are of great diagnostic value. Psychometric tests are important but they are only one out of many different possibilities to find the right diagnosis. If it is possible different specialists should examine the patient. Out of the different methods and views of the specialists a comprehensive image of the patient takes shape and allows a better understanding of dementia.