Bounded autonomy in deciding to seek medical help: carer role, the sick role and the case of dementia.

Social psychological theories of illness and health decision making place the individual with the symptoms at the centre. In the case of dementia it is often a relative who is first to contact health care professionals. The article illustrates how the autonomy of both the individual with symptoms and their carers is bounded by the actions of others.

Dementia early diagnosis: triggers, supports and constraints affecting the decision to engage with the health care system.

Objectives: There is very often a lengthy delay between first noticing symptoms of dementia and making first contact with Health Care Professionals (HCPs). This article identifies influences on the decision to contact HCPs for the first time.

Method: Qualitative thematic analysis of 20 case studies of carer experience.