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Caring for someone with dementia

Dementia care often changes over time, and carers may need to plan for increasing support needs, communication changes, and decisions about future care.

Last reviewed
1 June 2026
Next review due
1 December 2026

Dementia describes a group of conditions causing progressive decline in memory, thinking and daily functioning. Caring for someone with dementia often means adapting your approach as the condition changes, sometimes over many years.

Communication and daily support

  • Simple, short sentences, one instruction at a time, and calm reassurance tend to help more than correcting or arguing about facts.
  • Routine and familiar surroundings can reduce distress and confusion, especially in the middle stages of dementia.
  • A diagnosis of dementia does not remove someone's right to be involved in decisions about their own life wherever possible.

Legal and financial planning

Planning ahead, while the person with dementia can still express their wishes, makes later decisions easier for everyone.

  • Consider Lasting Power of Attorney (England and Wales), Continuing Power of Attorney and Welfare Power of Attorney (Scotland), or Enduring Power of Attorney arrangements in Northern Ireland, while the person has capacity to make one.
  • Ask about an assessment of mental capacity if decisions need to be made and capacity is in doubt; capacity is decision-specific and can vary.
  • Look into Attendance Allowance or Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland) for the person with dementia, and Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment for you.

As needs increase

  • Ask for a reassessment of care needs as dementia progresses, since support that worked earlier may no longer be enough.
  • Specialist dementia support workers, Admiral Nurses (where available) and memory services can offer advice tailored to later stages.
  • Consider whether a needs assessment for residential or nursing care is appropriate, and get independent advice on funding rules before major decisions.

Checklist

  • Ask about Lasting Power of Attorney or the equivalent in your nation while capacity allows.
  • Register with a local memory service or dementia support organisation for practical advice.
  • Review benefits entitlement for both the person with dementia and yourself as their needs change.
  • Ask about Admiral Nurses or specialist dementia support workers in your area.
  • Plan for future care needs before a crisis forces a rushed decision.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving Power of Attorney until capacity has already been lost, which can mean a more complex court process is needed instead.
  • Correcting or arguing with someone with dementia about factual accuracy, which can increase distress without benefit.
  • Not reassessing needs as the condition progresses.
  • Making major care or financial decisions without independent advice.

Organisations that can help