How Much Does Dementia Care Cost in the UK? 2026 Fees by Region
In short: across the 1,140 care homes on AskBart that offer dementia care and publish a weekly fee, the typical (median) fee is £1,297 a week, about £67,400 a year. It varies a lot by region: from about £1,040 a week in the East Midlands to £1,500 in London. Help towards the cost is available, and some people don't pay at all.
Fees by region
| Region | Typical weekly fee | Middle half of homes | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,500 | £1,299 to £1,708 | 86 |
| Scotland | £1,450 | £1,183 to £1,678 | 87 |
| South East | £1,422 | £1,265 to £1,546 | 268 |
| East of England | £1,324 | £1,179 to £1,509 | 132 |
| South West | £1,300 | £1,142 to £1,402 | 156 |
| West Midlands | £1,159 | £995 to £1,347 | 114 |
| North West | £1,082 | £958 to £1,294 | 99 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,072 | £991 to £1,280 | 50 |
| North East | £1,068 | £988 to £1,095 | 30 |
| East Midlands | £1,040 | £950 to £1,250 | 97 |
| UK | £1,297 | £1,096 to £1,494 | 1,140 |
"Typical" is the median: half the homes charge more and half charge less. The "middle half" shows the range for the middle 50% of homes, so a quarter charge less than the lower figure and a quarter charge more than the higher one.
Why fees vary
- Where the home is. Fees are highest in London, the South East and Scotland.
- Whether nursing is needed. Across the UK, homes offering nursing care have a typical published fee of £1,319 a week. Our guide to residential vs nursing dementia care explains the difference.
- Who pays. Councils usually pay less than the fees homes charge people paying for themselves. In England, councils' average rates for 2025-26 had a median of about £962 a week for residential care and £1,068 for nursing care (government figures, provisional). If you choose a home that costs more than the council will pay, someone may be asked to pay a top-up.
Help towards the cost
- The council: in England, if savings and other capital are below £23,250 (2026/27), the council will usually help. Check where you stand.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: if someone's needs are complex enough, the NHS pays for all their care. Read does the NHS pay for dementia care?
- NHS-funded nursing care: in a nursing home, the NHS pays £267.68 a week (2026/27, England) towards nursing care for eligible residents.
- Attendance Allowance: £76.70 or £114.60 a week (2026/27), not means-tested, for people over State Pension age paying for their own care.
- Scotland: free personal care of £260.30 a week is paid towards care home fees for those assessed as needing it, whatever their savings.
Related guides
- What Is a Secure Dementia Unit, and When Does Someone Need One?
- Early-Onset Dementia Care: Options for People Under 65
- Dementia Respite Care: Giving Carers a Break
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Explained: 2026 Update
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dementia care home cost per week?
Across 1,140 UK care homes offering dementia care that publish a fee on AskBart, the typical weekly fee is £1,297 (October 2026). It ranges from about £1,040 in the East Midlands to £1,500 in London.
How much does dementia care cost per year?
At the typical fee of £1,297 a week, a year in a care home costs about £67,400.
Is dementia care more expensive than other care?
It depends on the person's needs and the home. Nursing care usually costs more: homes offering nursing care have a typical published fee of £1,319 a week.
Will the council pay for dementia care?
In England, the council usually helps if savings and other capital are below £23,250. Your home may be counted if you move into a care home permanently.
Does the NHS pay for dementia care?
Sometimes. If someone's needs are complex enough, NHS Continuing Healthcare pays for all of their care, whatever their savings.
Sources
Find dementia care homes
- Dementia care homes in Greater London (229)
- Dementia care homes in Hampshire (125)
- Dementia care homes in West Yorkshire (118)
- Dementia care homes in Kent (112)
- Dementia care homes in Clwyd (105)
More in Dementia care guides
Sources
- Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund: care provider fees 2025 to 2026 (GOV.UK) (gov.uk)
- NHS-funded nursing care rate 2026 to 2027 (GOV.UK) (gov.uk)
- Attendance Allowance (GOV.UK) (gov.uk)
Further reading
Keep reading
How to Choose a Dementia-Friendly Care Home
A good dementia care home is built around how dementia actually affects people. Here's how to spot one, and the questions to ask before you decide.
Dementia Respite Care: Giving Carers a Break (2026)
The types of respite care for someone with dementia, how to arrange and pay for it, and how to help a short stay in a care home go well.
Early-Onset Dementia Care: Options for People Under 65 (2026)
Care and support for people diagnosed with dementia under 65: work, money, driving, care at home, and what to ask when looking at care homes.
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