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Dementia care guides

Understanding dementia and its stages, caring for someone at home, and choosing a dementia-friendly care home when the time comes.

In short: if you're worried about someone's memory or behaviour, start with the GP, who can rule out other causes and refer them to a memory assessment service. Many people with dementia live at home for years with the right support. When needs grow, a care home with dementia experience can help. Sort out a lasting power of attorney while the person can still take part, and check what financial help they can claim.

This guide brings together everything on dementia care on AskBart, with links to our detailed guides on each part.

Early signs and getting a diagnosis

Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. Early signs can include memory problems that affect daily life, difficulty finding words, getting lost in familiar places, and changes in mood or behaviour. Other conditions, such as infections, vitamin deficiencies and depression, can cause similar symptoms, so it is important to see the GP.

The GP can do some first checks and refer the person to a memory assessment service, sometimes called a memory clinic, for a full assessment. A diagnosis can open up support, treatment and planning.

Types and stages of dementia

Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by different diseases of the brain. The most common types are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia, and some people have more than one type. Each tends to progress differently, but it helps to know what changes may lie ahead.

Caring for someone at home

Most people with dementia live in their own homes, often supported by family. Small changes to routines, communication and the home can make daily life easier and calmer. Carers need support too: ask the council for a carer's assessment, and look into breaks and respite care before you reach crisis point.

Behaviour changes

Changes in behaviour are common and are often a way of communicating a need, such as pain, hunger, boredom or fear. Many people become more confused or restless in the late afternoon and evening, which is known as sundowning. Some may say things that aren't true, which is usually because of memory loss rather than an intention to deceive.

When a care home may be right

A move into a care home may be the right step when someone needs care or supervision around the clock, when they are no longer safe at home, or when the people caring for them can't continue. The person should be involved in the decision as far as they can be.

Look for a home with real experience of dementia care: trained staff, a calm layout that is easy to find your way around, and activities that suit the person. Some homes have a specialist dementia unit, sometimes called an EMI unit. Dementia villages are a newer kind of setting.

A lasting power of attorney lets someone choose people they trust to make decisions for them if they lose the ability to decide for themselves. It can only be made while the person still has the mental capacity to do so, so it is best done early.

In England and Wales, if someone's care in a care home or hospital amounts to a deprivation of their liberty, the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) make sure it is lawful and in their best interests. The legal test for this changed in June 2026, so ask the care home how it applies.

Paying for dementia care

Dementia care is usually paid for in the same way as other social care, so the council's means test applies. A diagnosis of dementia on its own does not mean the NHS will pay, but people whose needs are mainly health needs can be assessed for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested and is often available to people with dementia who need help or supervision. Someone with severe dementia may also be "disregarded" for council tax, which can lower the household's bill, but you have to apply.

Later stages and end of life

In the later stages, people with dementia need more help with every part of daily life. Planning ahead, including talking about wishes for future care while the person can still share them, makes it easier to give the right care at the end of life. Hospice and palliative care teams can support people with dementia and their families.

Official information and support

Last reviewed 13 October 2026 by the AskBart editorial team. Figures and thresholds are checked against the sources on the methodology page when a hub is updated.

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