Disclosing a diagnosis of dementia: a background to the phenomenon.

The number of people with dementia who have not received a formal diagnosis is high, in the UK and also internationally. Government strategies aim to raise public and professional awareness about the condition and increase rates of timely diagnosis. Benefits associated with timely diagnosis include earlier access to medication and being able to plan future care. Despite these benefits, a number of factors contribute to delay in, or in some cases denial of, diagnosis to people with dementia. This article aims to provide nurses, who are important healthcare professionals in the diagnostic process, with an overview of the literature on disclosing diagnosis to people with dementia.