Dementia including Alzheimer's disease

Here you'll find our current definition of the critical illness, additional condition or child specific condition we cover. We've also listed any previous definitions we may have had. With each new definition we've highlighted what's changed from the previous definition.

Current definition

December 2023

Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease - of specified severity

A definite diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, by a consultant geriatrician, neurologist, neuropsychologist or psychiatrist supported by evidence including neuropsychometric testing. There must be permanent cognitive dysfunction with progressive deterioration in the ability to do all of the following:

  • remember
  • reason; and
  • perceive, understand, express, and give effect to ideas.

For the above definition, the following is not covered:

  • mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Changes from previous definition

We've expanded the roles of who can diagnose this condition as well as the need for supported evidence from neuropsychometric testing.

We've also included permanent cognitive dysfunction with progressive deterioration within the diagnosis.

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is called out as not being covered.

Previous definitions

Dementia including Alzheimer's disease

A definite diagnosis of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, by a consultant neurologist, psychiatrist or geriatrician. There must be permanent clinical loss of the ability to do all of the following:

  • remember;
  • reason; and
  • perceive, understand, express and give effect to ideas.

Change from the previous definition

Merged with Alzheimer's disease.

Dementia – resulting in permanent symptoms

A definite diagnosis of dementia by a consultant neurologist, psychiatrist or geriatrician. There must be permanent clinical loss of the ability to do all of the following:

  • remember;
  • reason; and
  • perceive, understand, express and give effect to ideas.