Around 982,000 people are living with dementia in the UK today, and that number is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040. For most families, one of the first questions after a diagnosis is: how much does care actually cost?
The cost of dementia care depends heavily on the type of support chosen and where in the country you live. Care at home, live-in care and a place in a care home all come with very different price tags, and the funding help available can change the final figure considerably.
This guide sets out what dementia care costs, why those costs tend to rise as the condition progresses, and the funding options that may reduce what you pay.
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, Country Cousins has been matching families with experienced live-in carers since 1959, and we know how much clarity on cost matters when you are trying to plan.
How much does dementia care cost in the UK?
The table below shows typical costs for the main types of dementia care. These are averages, so the figure for your family will depend on the level of support needed and your region, with London and the South East usually sitting at the higher end.
| Type of dementia care | Typical Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting (hourly) home care | Around £20–£30 per hour | |
| Live-in care for dementia | Around £1,400–£1,800 per week | |
| Residential dementia care home | Around £1,000–£1,400 per week | |
| Nursing dementia care home | round £1,200–£1,600 per week |
Dementia care generally costs more than standard elderly care. Carers need specialist training to support memory loss, confusion and changes in behaviour safely, and the level of supervision required is often higher. That extra expertise is reflected in the price, whichever setting you choose.
Why the cost of dementia care changes as the condition progresses
Dementia is a progressive condition, which means care needs, and therefore costs, can increase over time. Understanding this pattern makes it easier to plan ahead financially. Care needs are grouped into three broad stages.
Early stage
At this point, a person can live fairly independently with some support. The help needed is usually prompting and supervision: reminders to take medication, a hand with meals or shopping, and companionship. This might mean only a few hours of visiting care a week, or informal support from family, so costs at this stage are relatively low.
Moderate stage
As dementia advances, regular help with personal care, meals and daily activities becomes necessary. Confusion may increase, and some people begin to wander or experience changes in mood and behaviour. Many families arrange full-time support at home or consider a care home around this stage, and weekly costs rise accordingly. To understand how needs typically develop, it can help to read about the stages of dementia.
Advanced stage
In the later stage, a person usually needs support around the clock and may have complex health needs. This is the most intensive and most expensive level of care. It is also the stage where NHS funding is most likely to apply, which we cover below.
The cost of dementia care at home versus a care home
Many families would prefer to keep a loved one at home for as long as possible. For someone living with dementia, familiar rooms, routines and faces can reduce disorientation and distress, whereas an unsettling move to a new environment can be upsetting.
On cost, a residential dementia care home averages roughly £1,000–£1,400 a week, and a nursing home more again.
Dementia care at home through a live-in carer sits in a broadly comparable range, while giving one-to-one attention rather than a shared staff ratio, and letting the person stay in surroundings they recognise.
Country Cousins’ live-in care starts from £1,155 a week, and you can compare live-in care prices against other leading UK providers to see how the figures stack up.
Home care costs can climb as needs grow, particularly if two carers or waking-night support become necessary, whereas a care home rolls those costs into a single weekly fee. Which works out better depends entirely on the individual’s needs.
Who pays for dementia care? Funding options explained
Few families pay for dementia care entirely out of their own pocket without first checking what help is available. Most use a combination of the routes below, and the mix can change as needs increase. The figures here apply to England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have slightly different rules.
NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)
If a person’s main need for care is a health need rather than a social one, the NHS may fund all of their care through Continuing Healthcare. CHC is not means-tested and has no upper cost limit, which makes it the most valuable funding available. Dementia commonly qualifies from the moderate stage onwards, when needs become complex, so we highly recommend requesting an assessment.
NHS-funded Nursing Care (FNC)
Where a person is in a nursing home but does not qualify for full CHC, the NHS pays a flat weekly contribution towards the nursing element of their care. This is paid directly to the home and reduces the amount you or the local authority pay.
Local authority funding
Local councils can help with care costs, subject to a means test. As a general guide, someone with savings and assets above £23,250 is expected to fund their own care, while those with assets below £14,250 have their capital disregarded and not counted. A person’s home is usually left out of the assessment if a spouse, partner or dependent relative still lives there.
Attendance Allowance
This is a benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, and it is not means-tested, so savings and income make no difference. This typically pays £76.70 a week at the lower rate or £114.60 a week at the higher rate. Most people with a dementia diagnosis qualify for the higher rate, and it can be claimed alongside other funding.
Self-funding
If a person has assets above the upper limit and does not qualify for CHC, they will usually pay for their own care. Even then, claiming Attendance Allowance and requesting a CHC assessment can pay off, as many families self-fund at first and then qualify for NHS support as the dementia progresses.
Planning ahead for dementia care costs
Because dementia is progressive, planning early on can save considerable stress and money later.
Take these steps as soon as possible after a diagnosis:
- Set up a Lasting Power of Attorney while the person still has the mental capacity to do so, covering both health decisions and financial affairs.
- Request an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment early, even before a care home is being considered.
- Claim Attendance Allowance promptly, as it is not means-tested and can be worth over £5,900 a year.
- Ask your local authority for a needs assessment and financial assessment to understand what support you may receive.
- Consider speaking to a specialist financial adviser accredited by the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA), who understands care funding.
How Country Cousins can help with live-in dementia care
As an introductory agency, Country Cousins matches families with experienced, hand-picked carers who support a loved one in their own home. Rather than a rota of unfamiliar faces, we work to place carers in long-term arrangements, so the person receives consistent, one-to-one support from someone who understands their routines and their dementia.
You choose the carer who feels right for your household, and our team guides you through the options. We can usually introduce a carer quickly, giving families reassurance at a difficult time. For a fuller picture of what live-in support involves, our guide to the cost of live-in care breaks down how pricing works.
Talk to our team today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959, all from the comfort of their own homes. Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dementia care cost per week in the UK?
Residential dementia care homes typically cost around £1,000–£1,400 a week, and nursing dementia homes around £1,200–£1,600 a week. Live-in care for dementia is broadly comparable, usually falling between £1,400 and £1,800 a week, while visiting hourly care costs around £20–£30 an hour. Costs are highest in London and the South East.
Does the NHS pay for dementia care?
It can. If a person’s main care need is judged to be a health need, they may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which funds all of their care and is not means-tested. Dementia frequently qualifies, particularly from the moderate stage onwards, so it is always worth requesting an assessment.
Is dementia care means-tested?
Local authority funding is means-tested, based on savings and assets, with an upper limit of £23,250 in England. NHS Continuing Healthcare and Attendance Allowance, however, are not means-tested, so they are available regardless of savings if the eligibility criteria are met.
Do dementia patients get free home care?
Most home care for dementia is privately funded, so there is usually a cost to pay. That said, the NHS or your local council may cover some or all of it depending on the person’s health needs and financial circumstances.
Is home care cheaper than a care home for dementia?
Live-in dementia care sits in a broadly similar range to a residential or nursing home, but provides dedicated support and keeps the person in surroundings they know. Home care costs can rise as needs grow, so the better-value option depends on the individual’s situation.
