Dementia care at home
A familiar face, a steady routine and patient support at home, from early memory changes to needing someone there all the time. You choose the carer, and each profile says what dementia experience they have.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking, language, mood and behaviour. There are many types; Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia make up the majority of cases (NHS).
Many people living with dementia are more settled at home, among familiar rooms, belongings and routines. With the right support, staying at home is often possible for a long time.
How needs change, and which care fits
Everyone is different, but most families recognise these stages.
Early: forgetful, and worried about it
Managing day to day, but missing appointments, meals or medication, and losing confidence going out.
Often suits: companionship or hourly visits a few times a week
Middle: the day needs structure
Needs prompting with washing, dressing and meals. Evenings can be harder, with confusion or restlessness.
Often suits: daily hourly visits, sometimes overnight care
Later: someone there all the time
Needs help with most personal care, may wander or be up at night, and is not safe alone.
Often suits: live-in care, or two carers if nights are busy
Talk through dementia care
Tell us how your relative is now, and we'll help you decide whether visits, nights or live-in care fits.
What a carer can do
- Keep a calm, predictable daily routine
- Prompt and help with washing, dressing and toileting, with patience and dignity
- Prompt medication at the right times, as agreed
- Make meals and drinks, and encourage eating and drinking enough
- Reassure during confusion or distress, without arguing or rushing
- Keep the home safe, and help reduce the risk of falls and wandering
- Share hobbies, music, photos and conversation about the past
- Go to appointments together and keep the family informed
What to look for in a carer
- Experience of dementia, which each profile describes
- Patience, warmth and a calm manner
- Interests in common with your relative, which help conversation
- Availability for the same days and times, so they become a familiar face
Familiar is better
Change can be unsettling for someone living with dementia. Seeing the same carer, in the same home, with the same routine, helps. With live-in care, one carer is usually there at a time, with a second carer covering breaks or rotations.
Making the home dementia friendly
- Good lighting, especially on stairs and the way to the toilet at night
- A large clock and calendar showing the day and date
- Labels or pictures on cupboards and doors
- Clear walkways, with trip hazards such as loose rugs removed
- Familiar objects, photos and furniture kept where they have always been
The NHS has more ideas in its guide to living with dementia.
Live-in dementia care or a care home?
| Question | Live-in care at home | Care home |
|---|---|---|
| Surroundings | Familiar home, routine and belongings | A new place to get used to |
| Attention | One-to-one, from one carer at a time | Staff shared between residents |
| Couples | Can stay together at home | May be separated if needs differ |
| Nursing | From the NHS community team when needed | Nursing homes have nurses on site |
Money and planning ahead
Your council can carry out a free needs assessment. People over State Pension age who need help with personal care may claim Attendance Allowance, which is not means-tested. NHS Continuing Healthcare may fund care when needs are mainly health needs. If your home is adapted or larger because of a disability, check the council tax discounts for disabled people. In Scotland, personal care is free for anyone assessed as needing it.
While your relative can still make decisions, consider a Lasting Power of Attorney so someone they trust can make decisions for them later.
Support and information
The NHS dementia guide and the Alzheimer's Society have information and support for families.
Tell us about them
The diagnosis, how they are now, routines, and what matters to them.
See matched profiles
Profiles say what experience each carer has, so you can choose with care.
Speak first
Talk to carers by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Care starts
You and your carer agree the routine, and change it as needs change.
How carers are checked
Before LCH Care introduces a carer, we check their identity, right to work in the UK, Enhanced DBS, two references, work history, and relevant training or qualifications. Carers also hold their own public liability insurance. You then speak to the carer by phone or video call before you agree to anything.
Other conditions
- Parkinson's care
- Stroke care
- Palliative and end of life care
- Multiple sclerosis care
- Motor neurone disease care
- Cancer care
- Brain injury care
- Spinal cord injury care
- Cerebral palsy care
- Muscular dystrophy care
- Diabetes care
- Heart disease care
- COPD care
- Arthritis and osteoporosis care
- Sight loss care
- Mental health support
- Learning disability support
- All conditions
Questions
Can someone with dementia be cared for at home?
Often, yes, for a long time. Many people are more settled at home. As needs grow, care can move from visits to live-in or 24-hour care.
Do carers have dementia experience?
Some carers have experience of dementia, and each profile says what experience they have. We check what carers tell us about their experience and training.
What if my relative refuses help?
It is common. Start small, such as a companion for a cup of tea or a trip out, and introduce help with personal care gradually. Choosing a carer with shared interests can help.
Can a carer manage wandering or night-time confusion?
A carer can keep the home safe and offer reassurance. If your relative is up several times a night, one live-in carer can't safely cover days and nights, so two carers or waking-night cover is the safer choice.
Will my relative have the same carer?
For live-in care, usually one carer at a time, with a second carer covering breaks or rotations. For hourly care we aim for consistency but can't promise the same person every visit.
How much does dementia care at home cost?
Hourly care costs £25 an hour (minimum 2 hours a visit) and live-in care costs £1,100 a week (minimum 2 weeks). Two carers cost £1,800 a week. Your written quote confirms the full price before care starts.
When should someone with dementia move to a care home?
There is no single answer. Families often decide when needs can no longer be met safely at home, or when nursing care is needed around the clock. Talk it through with your relative's GP and social worker.
What are the early signs of dementia?
Common early signs include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, struggling with familiar daily tasks or with following a conversation, confusion about time or place, and mood changes. If you're worried, speak to a GP. The NHS lists the symptoms.
What is the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia?
Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by damage to the brain. Alzheimer's disease is one type of dementia, and together with vascular dementia it makes up the majority of cases.
Is respite care available for people with dementia?
Yes. A carer can stay with your relative at home while you take a break, which keeps their surroundings and routine the same.