Dementia? Now what?
Our 3 min read to Dementia Assessments & Care Funding: A Quick UK Guide
If you are wondering if it's dementia, how to pay for care, or what level of support fits we have put together a 3-minute reference to get started.
It is important to know that a diagnosis does not automatically make care free or guarantee funding.
The first step is usually to contact your local authority or relevant social-care service and ask for a care-needs assessment.
A separate carer’s assessment may also be helpful for the family member providing support. If eligible needs are identified, a financial assessment will then look at whether your loved one is expected to contribute towards the cost of their care under the rules that apply in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
It is also worth checking whether your loved one may qualify for benefits such as Attendance Allowance, and asking about NHS Continuing Healthcare if their needs are mainly health-related and are particularly complex, intense or unpredictable. CHC is not awarded simply because someone has dementia, even where the condition is advanced.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is not treated as a separate funding category. Funding decisions are based on the person’s individual needs, circumstances and financial assessment, rather than on whether the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia or another form of dementia.
Choosing the right care - what are the options?
Getting help in early in the dementia journey can be vital as a condition such as Dementia progresses
Hourly visits — Pop in care for those mostly independent, perhaps early on in their dementia journey, just needing help with specific tasks and possibly having other support from family throughout the day.
Daily care — longer and more regular visits in the day, for not only practical tasks such as washing, meals, and safety concerns, but for companionship and overall well-being, support with hobbies and social interactions
Live-in care — A carer staying in the home throughout the day and overnight offers consistent and more reliable support with every aspect of daily routine, from dressing to washing, cooking and hobbies. This can be a single care professional or a small team of familiar carers — this is especially valuable for dementia, where routine and consistency are usually key to managing the condition as it progresses.
What do you do next?
What to expect after a dementia diagnosis: GOV.UK advises that people can request an assessment for help with day-to-day activities and consider available financial support.
Care-needs assessment: the assessment identifies what practical, personal or residential support is required; it is separate from the financial means test.
Dementia does not automatically qualify for CHC: NHS guidance explicitly says qualification depends on the complexity and severity of the person’s needs.
CHC eligibility: NHS-funded care applies where an assessment establishes a “primary health need,” and it can be provided at home or in a care home.
Alzheimer’s and dementia: dementia is the umbrella syndrome; Alzheimer’s disease is a particular disease and the most common cause or type of dementia.
Attendance Allowance: eligibility depends on the help or supervision the person needs because of their condition, not on the diagnosis alone. In Scotland, the equivalent new claim is Pension Age Disability Payment.
Our role
If you find yourself in a position where Dementia is affecting your family, and you are exploring your care options, please get in touch as there are a number of solutions we can offer. We can help set up check-in calls, through to daily care or a live-in carer for peace of mind at home and overnight. We match families across the UK with experienced, vetted carers — helping your loved one stay comfortable and independent at home with fairly priced home care - no hidden costs.
