[The meaning of the early detection of dementia]

The significance of early detection of dementia is that there is some benefit from almost all involved, especially, patients, their family, attending physicans and administration (local financial affairs), 1) Both patients and their family can recognize that dementia is not ageing but a disease. They can have the hope that early treatment of dementia can improve symptom. Moreover, their family and care givers can look after demented persons more easily by acquiring the knowledge of the official welfare system and how to cope with dementia-related problem behavior. These can reduce ill-treatment. 2) The improvement or supression of dementia symptoms, and the teaching of how to handle daily life can give attending physican an incentive to treat. 3) If the onset of dementia can be delayed for 2 years, administration can reduce expenses by 560 billion yen in all Japan, which would benefit the medical economy greatly.