G.1.1. Dementia diagnosis

• What are the most effective methods of primary assessment to decide whether a person with suspected dementia should be referred to a dementia service?
• What are the most effective methods of diagnosing dementia and dementia subtypes in specialist dementia diagnostic services?

Please see appendix P

G.1.2. Distinguishing dementia from delirium or delirium with dementia

• What are the most effective methods of differentiating dementia or dementia with delirium from delirium alone?

G.1.3. Case finding for people at high risk of dementia

• What are the most effective methods of case finding for people at high risk of dementia?

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G.2.1. Barriers and facilitators to involvement in decision making for people living with dementia

• What barriers and facilitators have an impact on involving people living with dementia in decisions about their present and future care?
• What barriers and facilitators have an impact on how people living with dementia can make use of advance planning?

G.3.1. Health and social care co-ordination

Review questions

• What are the most effective methods of care planning, focussing upon improving outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?
• How should health and social care be co-ordinated for people living with dementia?

G.3.2. Post diagnosis review for people living with dementia

• How should people living with dementia be reviewed post diagnosis?

G.4.1. Caring for people living with dementia who are admitted to hospital

• How should people living with dementia be cared for when admitted to hospital?

G.5.1. Managing the transition between different settings for people living with dementia

• What are the most effective ways of managing the transition between different settings (home, care home, hospital, and respite) for people living with dementia?

G.6.1. Risk factors for dementia progression

• What effect does modifying risk factors have on slowing the progression of dementia?

G.7.1. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for people living with Alzheimer’s disease

• Who should start and review the following pharmacological interventions: (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, memantine) for people with Alzheimer’s disease and how should a review be carried out?

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G.7.2. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in Alzheimer’s disease

• How effective is the co-prescription of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease?
• When should treatment with donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, memantine be withdrawn for people with Alzheimer’s disease?

G.7.3. Pharmacological management of Parkinson’s disease dementia

• What is the comparative effectiveness of donepezil, galantamine, memantine and rivastigmine for cognitive enhancement in dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease?

G.7.4. Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for types of dementia other than typical Alzheimer’s disease

• How effective are cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for types of dementia other than typical Alzheimer’s disease?

G.8.1. Drugs that may cause cognitive decline

• What drugs that may worsen cognitive decline are commonly prescribed in people diagnosed with dementia?
• What are the most effective tools to identify whether drugs may be the cause of cognitive decline in someone suspected of having dementia?

No GRADE or CERQual tables were produced for this review question

G.9.1. Non-pharmacological interventions for people living with dementia

• What are the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for supporting cognitive functioning in people living with dementia?
• What are the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for supporting functional ability in people living with dementia?
• What are the most effective non-pharmacological interventions to support wellbeing in people living with dementia?
• What are the most effective methods of supporting people living with dementia to reduce harm and stay independent?

G.9.2. Pre, peri and post-diagnostic counselling and support for people living with dementia and their families

• How effective are pre, peri & post-diagnostic counselling and support on outcomes for people living with dementia and their families?

G.10.1. Interventions for treating illness emergent non-cognitive symptoms in people living with dementia

• What are the most effective pharmacological interventions for managing illness emergent non-cognitive symptoms, such as psychosis, depression, behavioural changes in people living with dementia?
• What are the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing illness emergent non-cognitive symptoms, such as psychosis, depression, behavioural changes in people living with dementia?

G.11.1. Supporting informal carers of people living with dementia

• How effective are carers’ assessments in identifying the needs of informal carers of people living with dementia?
• What interventions/services are most effective for supporting the wellbeing of informal carers of people living with dementia?

G.12.1. Staff training

• What effect does training for staff working with people living with dementia have upon the experiences of people living with dementia in their care?

G.13.1. The specific needs of younger people living with dementia

Review question

• What are the specific needs of younger people living with dementia?

G.14.1. Assessing and treating intercurrent illness in people living with dementia

• Are there effective methods for assessing intercurrent illness in people living with dementia that are different from those already in use for people who do not have dementia?
• Are there effective methods for treating intercurrent illness in people living with dementia that are different from those already in use for people who do not have dementia?

G.14.2. Management strategies for people living with dementia and co-existing physical long term conditions

• What are the optimal management strategies (including treatments) for people living with dementia with co-existing physical long term conditions?

G.16.1. Palliative care

• What models of palliative care are effective for people with dementia