The primary purpose and value of early diagnosis of dementia is timely access to information, advice, and support and access to a pathway of effective treatment and care from the time of diagnosis to end of life care, and to enable interventions that may only work or be suitable in the earlier stages[1]. Early diagnosis for people with the symptoms of dementia is essential as they may still have the ability to think logically, even though their powers of reasoning may have started to be impaired. They will more easily be able to discuss the implications of the illness and how it will affect them and their families now and in the future, and it is the time when decisions regarding future care needs and financial and legal issues must be considered, while the person with dementia still has legal capacity. Giving the diagnosis at this early stage is not that different to the diagnosis of any other chronic and terminal illnesses, in terms of the discussion process. Obviously it is important to remember the person with dementia may already be experiencing memory difficulty, and therefore time must be taken to give the information in ways it can be retained, including repetition, printed information, and having other family members present.  Engaging the person with dementia is easier at an early stage because they are more likely to be less impaired both with memory and cognition.

Early diagnosis empowers the person with dementia to improve their own quality of life and assists them to remain independent for as long as possible. It offers more opportunity for increased and continued social engagement and community participation, and helps people with dementia and their carers to plan for their futures, including organising financial and legal affairs and preparing for longer-term or more intensive care requirements. The fourth term of reference may be attended to by early diagnosis as the person with dementia will be in a position to become active with advocacy and education of and about their condition within their own community.  Early diagnosis also allows the best outcomes for activities such as brain training, relearning and retention[2] training, It also seems clear that the impact of developing a shared social identity among a group of people with early-stage dementia is important in the well being and happiness of these patients[3]. Early diagnosis and therefore intervention, especially of a person with a younger onset dementia, may also allow the person to stay in paid employment for longer, reducing the cost impact to families, and ultimately governments. It is vital to the shared welfare of the person with dementia and their loved ones.