Benefits of home care for people with dementia

Home care can help someone with dementia stay independent, safe and comfortable in familiar surroundings. From help with everyday tasks to specialist dementia support, professional carers can make it easier for people to continue living in their own homes as their needs change.

If you’re caring for a family member with dementia, arranging home care can also give you reassurance and a much-needed break.

This guide explains the benefits of dementia care at home, what support is available, how much care someone might need and how to pay for it.

What are the benefits of home care for people with dementia?

Many people with dementia want to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Being surrounded by familiar belongings, routines and people can help them feel more comfortable and secure.

Home care provides practical and emotional support to help someone continue living at home, while giving family members reassurance that their loved one is receiving the care they need.

The main benefits of dementia care at home include:

1. Staying in familiar surroundings

People with dementia can sometimes become confused or disorientated, particularly when their surroundings change.

Remaining at home means they can continue living somewhere they recognise, surrounded by familiar furniture, photographs and personal belongings.

Keeping to established routines, such as getting up at the same time or eating familiar meals, can also provide reassurance and help reduce anxiety.

2. Maintaining independence

A dementia diagnosis doesn’t mean someone immediately loses their independence.

In the early stages, a person may only need occasional help with shopping, cooking or remembering to take medication.

Home carers can encourage people to continue doing the things they’re able to manage themselves, offering support when needed rather than taking over.

This can help someone with dementia maintain their confidence, independence and quality of life.

3. Receiving personalised care

Everyone experiences dementia differently, so the support they need will vary.

A home care provider can create a personalised care plan based on someone’s abilities, preferences, routines and changing needs.

For example, one person may need help preparing meals and attending appointments, while another may require support with personal care, mobility or communication.

Care can also be adapted as dementia progresses.

4. Staying close to family and friends

Receiving care at home means someone with dementia can continue living with their partner or family, if they wish.

They can also maintain relationships with friends, neighbours and their local community.

Home carers can support people to enjoy activities they love, whether that’s gardening, listening to music, going for walks or visiting a favourite café.

5. Giving family carers a break

Looking after someone with dementia can be rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding.

Professional home care can help family members share caring responsibilities and find time for work, other commitments or simply taking a break.

This support is sometimes called respite care and can be arranged regularly or for a short period.

What does dementia home care involve?

Dementia home care provides practical, personal and emotional support to help someone live as independently and comfortably as possible.

Depending on their needs, a home carer can help with:

• Personal care: Washing, bathing, dressing, using the toilet and maintaining personal hygiene.
• Meals and nutrition: Preparing meals, encouraging regular eating and drinking, and supporting someone who has difficulty eating.
• Medication: Providing reminders or assistance with medication, in line with the person’s care plan and the carer’s training.
• Daily routines: Helping someone maintain familiar routines and providing reassurance if they become confused or anxious.
• Companionship: Spending time together, chatting and encouraging hobbies and meaningful activities.
• Household tasks: Helping with shopping, laundry, cleaning and preparing meals.
• Appointments and outings: Accompanying someone to medical appointments, social activities or visits to friends and family.
• Mobility and safety: Helping someone move around safely and identifying potential hazards in the home.
• Emotional support: Responding calmly and sensitively to changes in mood, behaviour or communication.

Some people may also need specialist nursing or healthcare support. This must be provided by appropriately qualified professionals rather than assuming every home carer can carry out medical tasks.

Are home carers trained to support people with dementia?

Many home care agencies have carers who have received training in supporting people with dementia.

This can include understanding how dementia affects memory, communication, behaviour and everyday activities.

Carers may also be trained to recognise distress, communicate sensitively and respond to changes in someone’s needs.

However, not all home carers have specialist dementia training, so it’s important to ask a provider about their staff’s experience and qualifications.

When choosing a dementia home care provider, ask:

• What dementia-specific training do your carers receive?
• Do you have experience supporting people with my family member’s type and stage of dementia?
• Will the same carers visit regularly?
• How do you respond if someone becomes distressed, confused or refuses care?
• Can you provide more support if their needs change?

Having familiar carers who understand someone’s personality, preferences and routines can make a significant difference.

Can someone with dementia receive 24-hour care at home?

Yes. People with dementia can receive round-the-clock support at home, although the type of care required will depend on their individual needs.

As dementia progresses, someone may need more frequent help with personal care, mobility, eating or staying safe.

There are several options available.

Visiting home care

A carer visits at agreed times throughout the day to provide support.

This may be suitable for someone in the early or middle stages of dementia who can manage safely between visits, with or without support from family members.

Visits can become more frequent as their needs change.

Live-in dementia care

Live-in care involves a professional carer living in the person’s home to provide regular support throughout the day and some assistance at night.

This can help someone with dementia remain in familiar surroundings while receiving personalised care.

However, live-in care does not necessarily mean a carer is awake and working 24 hours a day. Live-in carers need breaks and sufficient rest.

If someone requires frequent assistance throughout the night or continuous supervision, additional carers or a different care arrangement may be needed.

Overnight and 24-hour dementia care

Some home care providers offer waking night care, where a carer remains awake overnight to provide support.

For people who need continuous care during the day and night, providers may arrange a team of carers working shifts.

This can be particularly helpful when someone experiences significant sleep disturbances, needs frequent assistance or cannot safely be left alone.

Read our guide to choosing the right live-in care.

How do you pay for dementia home care?

The cost of dementia home care depends on how much support someone needs, the type of care provided and where they live.

Some people pay for their own care, while others receive financial help from their local authority or, in certain circumstances, the NHS.

Local authority funding

Having dementia doesn’t automatically mean someone will receive financial help towards home care.

If you or someone you care for needs support, contact your local authority to request a care needs assessment.

This will look at what help is needed and whether the person has eligible care needs.

If they qualify for support, the local authority will usually carry out a financial assessment to determine how much they may need to contribute towards their care.

Read more about care needs assessments and financial assessments for home care.

NHS Continuing Healthcare

Some people with dementia may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) in England.

This is a package of care arranged and fully funded by the NHS for adults who have a primary health need.

Eligibility depends on the nature, intensity, complexity and unpredictability of someone’s needs, rather than their dementia diagnosis alone.

People with advanced dementia and significant healthcare needs may be eligible, but having dementia does not automatically qualify someone for CHC.

Different NHS-funded care arrangements apply elsewhere in the UK.

Benefits that can help with care costs

Depending on someone’s age and circumstances, they may be eligible for benefits such as Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

These benefits can help with the extra costs of living with a disability or long-term health condition, including dementia.

Family members providing care may also qualify for Carer’s Allowance or other support.

For more information, read our guides to paying for care at home and benefits you can claim while receiving home care.