stage: 4

When the NHS pays for dementia care — the two situations and how to access both

The NHS pays for dementia care in two main situations. First, it funds clinical services such as diagnosis at memory clinics, prescribed medications, and community support from specialist nurses and mental health teams. Second, it funds full residential care through NHS Continuing Healthcare for people whose primary need is assessed as a healthcare need. The assessment uses the NHS Continuing Healthcare Decision Support Tool, which evaluates needs across areas including behaviour, cognition, nutrition, skin integrity, and medication management. If the primary need is determined to be health-related, the NHS funds the full cost of care.