This text describes the work of a project to develop an instrument for use by local planners in assessing the needs of people with dementia. It considers a range of issues such as the problems of people with dementia, and the problems in the measurement of need.

This text describes the work of a three-year project funded by the Scottish Office to develop an instrument for use by local planners to assess the needs of people with dementia. The research was intended to serve planners working with dementia, mainly in health and social services. The book considers a range of issues concerned with the process of planning to meet needs, including: the problems of people with dementia; problems in the measurement of need; ways of identifying the population with dementia; and the process of planning services to meet needs.

Introduction
dementia, needs and service planning
the assessment of needs
fieldwork method
the local context of the surveys
a service based census
administering the instrument
testing the instrument in use
applying the data
ethical issues
conclusion.