How do you approach discussing possible dementia with an older adult who is presenting with depression, when you are concerned that raising this possibility could worsen their depressive symptoms?

I think the concern of bringing up a potentially devastating diagnosis, such as dementia, in this or any other context, is valid. And yet, when someone is experiencing depression, a disease that is multifactorial and sometimes difficult to treat, it is important to diagnose, evaluate, and treat any of these contributing factors - including dementia. In fact, in an older person, dementia and depression often coexist. Just as depression is a risk factor for experiencing dementia, and often a harbinger of it, so does dementia confer a higher risk for experiencing depressive symptoms. Often, addressing one means addressing the other, and a positive impact on mood may have a positive impact on memory and concentration. Conversely, not addressing...