Psychosocial consequences and results of diagnosis of dementia are cited, and the risk of false positive misdiagnosis is stressed. We notice importance of multidimensional comprehensive approach and assessment. The list of most important causes of misdiagnosis of dementia as well as of the functional decompensation is presented with special focusing on delirium.

        Key words: dementia, ageism, delirium, frailty, geriatrics, misdiagnosis, specificity, comprehensive geriatric assessment.