By the Big on Health editorial team, Ideas in Medicine Ltd.
This is not medical, legal or financial advice. Big on Health is a UK review site. For health worries, speak to your GP, memory service or NHS 111. For help with care, speak to your council’s adult social care team (in Northern Ireland, your Health and Social Care Trust).
If Mum or Dad has dementia, staying at home is often the goal. The NHS says many people with mild-to-moderate dementia can stay in their own home and live well if they have adequate support. This page sets out the steps, who to ask, and where paid help at home fits. We read every source on 14 Oct 2026.
Ad. Looking for help at home now? You can browse self-employed carers on PrimeCarers and see their rates up front. If you register through this link, Ideas in Medicine Ltd, trading as Big on Health, may earn a commission. That does not change what you pay.
Five steps to get help in place
- Ask for a care plan. After a diagnosis, the NHS says the person should have a care plan setting out the care they and their carers may need.
- Ask for a needs assessment. If everyday tasks such as washing, dressing or cooking get hard, ask the council’s social services for a needs assessment. It can lead to home care, meals delivered at home or a personal alarm.
- Expect a means test. If help is needed, a financial assessment works out what the person pays towards it.
- Ask for your own carer’s assessment. It is free for anyone over 18 and can recommend someone to take over so you can take a break.
- Check money help. Look at benefits for the person and for you, and the Council Tax discount below.
Tip. You can ask for the person’s needs assessment and your carer’s assessment at the same time. Bring your NHS number, the GP’s details and the details of the person you care for.
What help at home can look like
- Council-arranged services. These vary by area but may include home care, equipment and home adaptations.
- NHS services. Some, such as community nursing, come from the NHS. Ask the GP or consultant.
- Breaks for you. The NHS lists day centres and respite care, which can be at home or a short stay in a care home.
- Charities. Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK run helplines, support groups, day centres and, in some areas, home care.
- Private carers. If you pay yourself, you can hire through an agency or an introductory service. See Finding a carer in the UK.
Council Tax: a discount many families miss
GOV.UK says a person who is severely mentally impaired, certified by a medical professional such as a GP and getting certain benefits, may get a Council Tax discount. If they live alone it can be 100%. If you live with them and no other adult counts, you may get 25% off. Check with your council.
Four nations: carer’s assessment and breaks
| Nation | Your assessment | Breaks and funding |
|---|---|---|
| England | Carer’s assessment from your council’s adult social services. Free for anyone over 18. | Can recommend someone to take over caring. Help with costs may need a means test. |
| Scotland | Adult Carer Support Plan from your council or carer centre. | The council must consider short breaks in your plan. Money may come from the council (including direct payments), the Time to Live fund or other local schemes. You can ask for emergency respite even without a plan. |
| Wales | Carer’s needs assessment from your local authority, whatever the care you give or your means. | If needs are eligible, the council must meet them, by services or direct payments, in a support plan. |
| Northern Ireland | Carer’s assessment from your Health and Social Care Trust, if you give regular and significant care. | Can include a break from caring. Your right to an assessment is not linked to income or savings. |
Next step
Once the assessments are done, compare what the council offers with paying privately. Our Home care costs UK 2026 guide lists published prices with their sources.
Ad. If private care at home looks right, you can compare carers on PrimeCarers. Ask about dementia experience, references and DBS checks. If you register through this link, Ideas in Medicine Ltd, trading as Big on Health, may earn a commission. That does not change what you pay.
Related guides
- Finding a carer in the UK
- Carer’s assessment in the UK
- Carer’s Allowance in the UK
- Home care costs UK 2026
- Overnight care at home in the UK
- Respite care in the UK
Sources
All read on 14 Oct 2026.
- NHS: Help and support for people with dementia
- NHS: What to do if you’ve just been diagnosed with dementia
- NHS: Looking after someone with dementia
- NHS: Carer’s assessments
- GOV.UK: Council Tax discounts for disabled people
- mygov.scot: Adult Carer Support Plan
- mygov.scot: Short breaks from caring
- Carers UK: Assessments (Wales) 2026–27
- nidirect: Assessments for carers
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