How to support someone with dementia: what help can I get?
Does your husband, wife, mum or dad have dementia and you feel overwhelmed? You’re not alone. Like other serious conditions, dementia is a condition that doesn’t just affect the person with the diagnosis. It has an impact on their loved ones too. In fact, according to a 2018 Alzheimer’s Society survey, a staggering 9 in 10 carers of people with dementia feel stressed or anxious every single week.1 You don’t have to struggle through the challenges of dementia alone. If you need help for your husband, wife, mum, dad or someone else, there are immediate resources available.
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“My mum has dementia and I can’t cope”
My 78 year old mother was diagnosed with dementia recently. I’m her only child and live two hours away. She’s becoming increasingly confused and sometimes doesn’t recognise me when I visit. Last month, she left the gas on and nearly caused a fire in her home. I feel guilty because I can’t be there everyday. I have my own family and job. The early signs of memory loss were there for months before we got help. Now I don’t know what to do. Should I move her to a care home? Am I a terrible daughter for even thinking that? I’m struggling to be there for my own family and myself because I’m constantly worried about her. What support is available for family members like me?
– Sarah, Daughter, WorcestershireDear Sarah,
Your feelings are completely valid and you’re not a terrible daughter for wondering if your mother should go into a care home. 70% of care home residents have dementia in the UK.2 Caring for a parent with any form of dementia is one of life’s greatest challenges. The fact that you’re concerned shows how much you love your mother.
If you haven’t already, contact your local social services for a carer’s assessment. We’ve covered how to find your local authority in this guide so scroll down for more information. They can arrange support services, including community nurses or day centres to give you peace of mind that your mother isn’t alone. Alzheimer’s Society offers excellent resources and local support groups where you can meet other family members facing similar situations.
You could consider hiring an in-home caregiver to support your mother or explore memory care facilities if her needs exceed what can be safely managed at home. A memory care facility isn’t giving up – it’s ensuring she receives specialist care from staff trained in managing dementia.
Maintaining your mental health is crucial. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Seek emotional support through counselling or an online support group where you can find people experiencing the same situation as you. Many adult children find professional help invaluable during this journey. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
“My wife has dementia and I can’t cope”
My wife of 35 years was diagnosed with vascular dementia a year ago. She’s only 64. The woman I married seems to be disappearing before my eyes. She has mood swings and sometimes doesn’t recognise who I am. Our relationship has completely changed; we now sleep in separate rooms because she wanders at night. I feel like I’m grieving for someone who’s still alive. Our adult children live abroad and don’t really understand how bad things have become. I’m exhausted from managing her daily tasks and household chores while trying to work. Physical intimacy is gone and I feel guilty for even thinking about my own needs. I love her but I don’t know how much more I can take. What help can I get as a spousal carer?
– Michael, Husband, SurreyDear Michael,
Your feelings are entirely legitimate and you’re experiencing what many spousal carers face. The grief you describe is real – it’s called anticipatory grief3 and it’s a natural part of the dementia journey.
Young-onset dementia is a condition that affects close to 42,000 people in the UK who are under the age of 65.4
Get in touch with Alzheimer’s Society’s special young-onset dementia service. They have support groups made for people of your wife’s age living with dementia. They understand the unique problems you have. A lot of these groups now meet online, so help is available no matter where you live.
I would also recommend contacting your GP immediately to request a carer’s assessment through social services. You’re entitled to support, including Respite Care and potentially day trips or day centres for your wife. Alzheimer’s Society provides specific support for carers5, including support groups where you can talk to other carers who understand your situation. As your wife’s primary caregiver, you may also be entitled to financial support such as Carer’s Allowance, which can help with the exhaustion of working alongside caring for your wife.
Consider arranging power of attorney and other legal documents now while your wife can still participate in decisions. A social worker can help coordinate support services and discuss options like memory care facilities when appropriate.
Your emotional needs matter too. Consider joining a support group so you can talk to other spousal carers experiencing the same challenges as you. The family caregiver alliance offers resources specifically for maintaining positive relationships during dementia progression.
If you can, also consider Respite Care. A professionally trained Carer can visit your home and perform some of the tasks that you might be currently doing for your wife. It’ll give you a chance to step away from your caregiving duties and recharge.
Remember, using support services doesn’t mean you’re failing – it means you’re being responsible by ensuring both of you get the best care possible.
“My husband has dementia and I can’t cope”
My husband was diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s disease several years ago at age 69. At first, we managed well but recently his cognitive decline has accelerated dramatically. He can’t manage familiar tasks like dressing or eating without help. Yesterday, he became aggressive when I tried to help him shower, which isn’t like him at all. He was always gentle and kind.
I’m 67 myself and not in the best health. Our son wants us to consider a care facility but my husband made me promise years ago never to “put him in a home.” I feel trapped between honouring his wishes and keeping us both safe. I haven’t had a great time socialising or pursuing my own hobbies in months. I barely sleep because I worry he’ll wander at night. What’s the best way to manage this situation? I feel like I’m losing myself.
Dear Patricia,
Your situation sounds heartbreaking and your feelings are completely understandable. Difficult behaviours like aggression are symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, not reflections of your husband’s true character. The man who made you promise not to put him in a home couldn’t foresee how the disease would progress.
I would recommend immediately contacting your GP about the aggressive episodes – there may be medications or strategies to help. Request an urgent carer’s assessment and discuss safety concerns with a social worker. Your wellbeing matters too and you can’t provide good care if you’re unsafe or exhausted.
Despite the promise you made to your husband, you are the partner with the decision-making capability now and you must act in both your best interests. A memory care facility with specialised staff trained in dementia behaviours may be the safest option. Alternatively, you could consider an at-home care provider where Carers visit him at home to meet his needs. GOV.UK statistics show that the number of people with dementia over 65 has increased faster than the rate of care home beds available for people with dementia.6 That means it might become more common for people to receive Dementia Care at Home and providers, of which we are one, are equipped to deal with many forms of dementia with our Home Care & Live-in Care services.
Visiting Care may also give you the time you need to focus on your own health and pursue your hobbies. Choosing professional care when you can no longer safely provide it yourself isn’t breaking a promise – it’s a loving decisions that ensures your husband receives appropriate care while preserving your health. You’ve given many years of devoted care; now it’s time to ensure both of you are safe and supported.
“My dad has dementia and I can’t cope”
My 81 year old father has Alzheimer’s disease. I’m the only one of four kids who lives near him; the other three are in different cities and don’t visit often. When they do, they tell me I’m not doing things right but they don’t give real help or money. My sister says I should “just put him in a home.” My brothers act like everything’s fine since I’m there to take care of things. I’m a 45 year old single man. I’m trying to do my job and help my dad at the same time. I feel tired and angry that it’s all left to me alone. How do I get my siblings to help and take on some of this work?
– Mark, Son, BristolDear Mark,
Family tensions about care are sadly very common. We know it’s hard to face both the daily problems you’re coping with plus the feelings that come with them. Let’s try to handle one at a time.
First, set up a family meeting to talk about what your father needs for his care. You can do this on a video call if needed. Bring the right information with you. This means you should know about his daily care needs, the costs involved and what the doctors say about his health in the future. Often, it’s helpful to have a care assessment to support this. Care providers, like Alina Homecare, offer free assessments to guide you in this way. You could then offer clear ideas on how your siblings can help. This could be financially, visiting your father more often or helping to find outside help.
Get in touch with your local authority to set up a carer’s assessment and ask if they have family mediation services. A lot of places give free help through mediation for families who have problems with care. Write down everything about how your father is looked after and what you need too.
If your siblings don’t want to help, try to focus on what you can do. You can look into care options like Respite Care, adult day centres, or other Home Care services. These services offer extra help and enable you to take time for yourself. You may be able to get Carer’s Allowance as extra support and your father may be entitled to Attendance Allowance. This money can help you pay for more support or a professional in-home caregiver.
Think about joining a support group for male carers. There are more of these groups now and they can provide advice and emotional support. Taking care of someone should not rest with just one person but at time, you may feel like it does. To look after your own wellbeing, make sure to use any support services that are available to you.
“My grandmother has dementia and I can’t cope”
I’m a 34 year old mum with two little children, aged five and eight. I’m also looking after my 89 year old grandmother who has vascular dementia. My grandmother raised me up after my parents passed away, so I feel that I have to be there for her now. But I find it hard to keep up with everything
I see that my children start to feel unhappy about the time I spend with my grandmother. It gets worse when she has tough days and becomes confused or upset. My husband works long hours; he helps out when he’s able but I’m still the one who cares for everyone the most.
I feel tired trying to meet everyone’s needs. My children need their mum, but I can’t just leave my grandmother. I need advice on how I can care for both the old and young in my family without becoming overwhelmed.
Dear Emma,
You’re in one of the toughest caregiving roles, known as the “sandwich generation”. It’s normal to feel like you’re being pulled in many ways at once. A lot of people feel the same way you do.
First, keep in mind that good care doesn’t mean you need to do all the work by yourself. You should get in touch with social services right away to ask for a care assessment for your grandmother. Tell them about your life as a family carer, especially that you have young children. They may give your family top priority for support services.
Your can look into adult day centres for your grandmother. The centres could give her a place to have social time and take part in a variety of activities. At the same time, you get time to spend with your children. Many places also have activities for the young and old to do things together – this could be good for your children, your grandmother and you.
It sounds like your children are at an age where they could help you with your grandmother’s care. They could take part in easy things, like looking at old photo albums with her or preparing a drink for her. This may help them know more about what’s going on and feel like they’re part of it which may help them to not feel left out or upset.
Consider Respite Care when you need a regular break, even if it’s only for a few hours each week. Use this time to spend with your children. Don’t worry about household chores during this time, just focus on quality family moments together. It’s important that your children feel they’re still a top priority.
Speak to other people who are also “sandwich generation” carers by joining online support groups. You may find helpful tips from other people who face the same problems you do.
Remember, you can’t help others if you feel drained. If you take care of yourself first, then you can better look after the people around you.
“My husband has dementia and has become aggressive”
My husband and I have been together for 40 years. About 18 months ago, he was told he has Lewy body dementia. Lately, he’s started to get rough with me, mainly when I help him with personal care. This happens when I try to bathe him or change his clothes. Just last week, he hit me while I was helping him change. He was always so gentle before. This isn’t the man I married. I feel scared of him but I also feel bad for feeling that way. I’m 72 years old and don’t have the strength I once did.
Our adult children live far from us. They don’t believe me when I tell them how he acts. They think I’m making things sound worse than they are. I still love him but I’m afraid. I don’t know if I should think about a care home for him now. A part of me feels like I would be letting him down after all we’ve been through together. I just don’t know what to do.
Dear Margaret,
Your safety comes before anything else. This isn’t something to argue about. When someone with dementia acts out of character, it’s a part of the illness, not something they mean to do. But you shouldn’t have to hurt because of it.
Get in touch with your husband’s GP right away to let them know about the aggressive episodes. The doctor may have medication or other ways to help handle these behaviours. Lewy body dementia can make people see things that aren’t there and feel confused, which can lead to anger. A doctor may be able to help make things better.
For his safety and your own, don’t try to help him with Personal Care if that’s what’s causing your husband to get upset. Step away and give him some space. Wait a while, then try again – or you may want to consider hiring a professional Carer who’s trained in managing these symptoms of dementia.
In a care home, memory care units have trained staff who know how to work with people who may get angry or upset. They’re trained to keep everyone safe. If you decide to move him there, you’re not leaving him behind; you’re making sure both of you get the right care. After being married for 40 years, you’ve done more than most people get to do.
“I’m disabled and caring for my wife with dementia”
I’m 68 years old and have used a wheelchair for 15 years because of multiple sclerosis. My wife, Jenny, is 66. She found out she has Alzheimer’s disease last year. Now, I find it hard to give her the help she needs as I’m dealing with my own health problems. Daily tasks like helping her take a shower or stopping her from wandering at night feel impossible for me now. Social services tell us they’re too busy to help much and we’re left waiting for support.
I feel like I’m not able to be a good husband as I just can’t keep her safe or care for her the way I want to. We don’t have much money saved up and we can’t pay for private care. Jenny gets mixed up about my disability too – she sometimes asks me why I won’t stand up and walk – and I feel even more helpless. What can people do when both partners need care like us?
Dear Robert,
Your situation needs immediate help from social services. You should urgently get in touch with them again. Ensure you tell them you’re a disabled spousal carer. This can help speed up your assessment with the Care Act 2014. Ask for a joint assessment for you and your wife, Jenny.
Contact your local Carers Centre right away. Many of them help disabled carers and can speak to social services for you. Tell them this is a crisis and be sure to say there are safety concerns.
Look into Direct Payments – with this, you can get money to set up your own care. It might be more flexible than waiting for what the council offers, and you could even hire carers who can help both you and your wife at the same time.
For immediate help, contact Age UK for emergency services. Ask your GP to send Jenny to the memory clinic for a check up. Get in touch with disability charities for help with equipment like grab rails and monitoring devices. These things can make life easier. Look into helpful tools like movement sensors to help with her wandering at night.
Regarding money, both of you may be eligible for financial support. You both may be entitled to Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment and you may also be entitled to Carer’s Allowance because you care for Jenny.
Don’t think you’re not needed – love is about more than just taking care of someone’s body! Being there for Jenny and standing up for her needs matters so much. You’re doing a great job during a tough time and what you do means a lot.
“My mum has dementia and I’m struggling”
I’m 42 years old and a single professional working as a nurse. My mum, who is 74 years old, lives with me. She has moderate dementia. I try my best to care for her, but 12-hour work shifts make it very difficult. She keeps waking up and wandering at night so I don’t get much sleep between my shifts because of this.
My boss is kind and understanding, but I’ve used all my annual leave on her doctor appointments. I can’t work less or take unpaid leave. I have a mortgage, and I pay for everything for both me and my mum. Because I’m so tired, I’m starting to make mistakes at work; this makes me worry because I don’t want it to damage my nursing registration. A care home for my mum would cost more than my whole salary; I simply can’t afford it.
I feel trapped. I feel like I’m not managing well at home or work. How do other people who are working carers get by?
Dear Helen,
As a healthcare professional, you know how important it is to deal with this problem before it can harm your job or your registration. Your employer should have policies for family carers. You should ask to meet with HR and talk about flexible working.
Get in touch with ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) to get free advice about your rights at work if you’re a family caregiver. You may have the right to flexible working hours, carer’s leave (though often unpaid), time off for emergencies and possible career break options.
For immediate help with your mum, you can get in touch with your local council if you need Emergency Respite Care. Look into NHS Continuing Healthcare – your mum might get care that’s fully paid for. You could also think about having a Live-in Carer who works times that fit around your schedule.
Join online support groups for people who work and care for someone at the same time, especially as you work in healthcare. A lot of nurses deal with the same problems and often share tips that help with daily issues.
When it comes to costs, you can look into Deferred Payment Agreements. With this, the council will pay the care home fees up front and will get the money back later from your mum’s estate. This can help make residential care possible for a short time.
Your job is important, not just for the money but also because there’s a big need for skilled nurses. Taking care of yourself and your job is not selfish – it ensures you can keep helping your mum for a long time.
“My wife doesn’t speak English and has dementia”
My wife, Rosa, moved to the UK from Italy 45 years ago. She didn’t pick up English very well and I mostly helped translate for her. She’s now 78 and has dementia. She’s starting to speak only in Italian again, which means the healthcare staff here can’t always communicate with her and she gets very upset when she goes to appointments. Our children know some Italian but they’re busy with their own lives. I’m 80 myself and it’s hard for me to speak up for her and look after her at the same time. The local dementia services don’t seem able to help people who don’t speak English. Rosa is always saying she wants to “go home” to Italy; this hurts me, as this place has been home to both of us for so many years. I feel lost about how to get proper help for her when there’s this big language barrier standing in the way.
– Giuseppe, Husband, LondonDear Giuseppe,
Language regression is often seen in people with dementia. As the condition worsens, they can start to use their first language more often. This is not unusual or rare and there are services available that can help with this.
Get in touch with the NHS’ interpretation services right away. The law says they must give you interpreters for medical appointments. Many places have people who help with healthcare for Italian-speaking patients, especially for older people.
Look for support groups that match your culture; in London, you can find several Italian community services. They have dementia support groups spoken in Italian that you can get in touch with.
When Rosa says she wants to “go home”, she may be saying she needs comfort and a feeling of what she knows best, not that she really wants to travel. To help her feel more comfortable, make sure she’s around things she knows from Italy. You could play Italian music or radio stations, show her photos of her childhood in Italy, find Italian television shows and provide her with traditional Italian foods. Consider hiring a Care Assistant who can speak Italian. You can find one by looking for agencies that have experience with multicultural care.
Get in touch with your local council’s adult services. They should help you by offering translation services. In many places, there are now special programs for older people from different cultures who have dementia. These programs aim to give the right support.
“My teenage children are struggling with their grandfather’s dementia”
My father is 79 years old and lives with me and my family. He has moderate dementia. My children, Jake, who’s 16 and Lucy, who’s 14, are finding it hard to deal with his condition. Sometimes he gets confused and calls my daughter by the name of his late mother. He often asks the same things repeatedly and sometimes has toileting accidents. Because of this, Jake feels embarrassed to invite his friends over. Lucy feels hurts when grandpa can’t remember what they spoke about the day before. They both used to love spending time with him but now I see them trying to stay away, which makes me feel very sad. They’re also scared about whether dementia could run in our family and if it might happen to me or them one day. How can I help my teenagers understand what’s happening to their grandfather and let them feel safe with their feelings? I want to look after their emotional health while they go through this.
– David, Son, HampshireDear David,
Teenagers can find it hard to deal with dementia in the family as it can make them feel confused about who their loved one is and if things will ever be the same again. Your children are sad about the grandfather they remember. At the same time, they’re trying to get used to how he’s changing now.
Start with learning more about dementia. For information, reach out to Alzheimer’s Society or Dementia UK. They’ll have many helpful resources for kids and young people to explain what dementia is in a way that’s easy to understand. They also provide information about family history and whether dementia can be passed down. Most types of dementia are not directly passed from parent to child, so this might help your children feel better.
Create opportunities for positive interactions, such as:
- Looking at photo albums together: your father may remember old memories and tell your children about his experiences
- Playing music from his childhood that might bring back good memories or positive responses
- Involving your children in easy activities with their grandfather, like gardening, cooking or walking
- Sharing happy stories about their grandfather before he got dementia
Consider family counselling to help everyone deal with grief and the changes happening in the home. Your local CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) can give support to teenagers who are facing illness in the family, which could be beneficial for their mental health.
Most importantly, let your children keep up with what they usually do and stay close to their friends. They need time and space where they feel like normal teenagers, not always having to be carers or family supporters.
The fact that your children once loved their grandfather a lot shows they can feel close to him again. With your help and patience, they can find ways to connect with him.
How relationships change
Coping strategies for family members
Communicating with your relative after diagnosis
Feeling guilty
Grief & loss
Feeling angry
Asking for help

Emotional support
My husband/wife has dementia and I can’t cope

Diagnosis support
My parent or spouse has dementia – what’s next?
Recognising the early signs of dementia in a loved one
Common symptoms to look for in loved ones
You can spot symptoms of dementia in your loved ones by looking for memory problems; for example, they may start to forget things or lose track of what they’ve previously talked about. These are the most obvious warning signs. It’s also important to observe personality changes; for example, they may get angry more often or experience mood swings. There may be instances where they choose not to take part in group activities like they used to, which could also be a symptom of dementia.
As a family caregiver, you may notice repeated signs of memory loss, such as your loved one asking the same question many times or getting lost in places that should feel familiar to them. This can make things like having a conversation or doing their usual daily activities difficult.
Also, stay alert to any physical changes you may see in your loved one. For example, a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may stop caring for their body and cleanliness, they may lose interest in hobbies they used to enjoy and start to feel restless or have trouble sitting still. Behavioural changes can show early signs of dementia. If you notice them, it’s important to act early and speak to a medical professional to help you understand what to do next.
When & how to seek a professional diagnosis
If you notice any of the symptoms of dementia or changes in behaviour and memory problems, write them down as and when you notice them. These notes will help doctors and other medical professionals with their diagnosis of dementia. It will also help them to make an appropriate care plan that fits your loved one’s needs.
Initially, speak to a medical professional about your concerns; they may discuss the different forms of dementia and refer you to a specialist to assess your loved one’s cognitive function. Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes and more time for future planning.
Download leaflet
Request a copy of our Dementia Care leaflet.
Lifestyle support
Practical tips for daily Dementia Care at Home
Encouraging independence & meaningful activities
Family caregivers must find a good balance between providing help and allowing their loved one to maintain independence. You could think about their hobbies or other activities they can take part in that match the stage of the disease. For example, some people enjoy knitting, crafts or gardening but these may no longer be possible as their dementia progresses. Hobbies can keep your loved one busy and improve their daily life. Being able to do even simple daily tasks like setting the table or folding laundry can help your loved one feel good about themselves and give them a sense of purpose. Day trips to familiar places can provide enjoyable experiences and be beneficial for their mental health.
Changes in communication & behaviour for people with dementia
Alzheimer’s disease can change the way people talk and share what they feel. You may notice that they become confused or agitated now and then. Memory loss can make it difficult for someone to communicate the way they did before, so be patient and listen carefully. It may help to use the things around them, like family photographs or a special object, to initiate a conversation. Simple words work better when communicating, so avoid giving multiple instructions at once. Break down daily tasks into smaller steps.
Tips for a healthy & active lifestyle for people with dementia
A healthy and active lifestyle may be beneficial for people living with dementia. Although it hasn’t been shown to slow down or prevent dementia from progressing once a person already has the condition, it may improve some aspects of memory.11
Physical activity can improve blood supply and nutrients to the brain, which can help with thinking skills and memory. Maintaining strong muscles and flexible joints can also help with mobility, allowing your loved one to do things for themselves like dressing, cleaning and cooking. It could also improve hand-eye coordination as the hands and eyes work together to complete tasks like eating, tying shoelaces or buttoning clothing. These small tasks could help your loved one to maintain independence and a better quality of life.
Psychological benefits of exercise include improving mental ability, higher confidence and self esteem, and reducing the risk of depression.
Encourage your loved one to take part in activities such as walking, gardening or dancing to keep their body moving. There are other activities which are believed to be beneficial for people living with dementia, such as knitting and crocheting12, making music13 or attending a dementia café. You can explore different options in our activities for elderly people guide.
Help with eating & drinking
Make sure your loved one has good eating and drinking habits to ensure they’re getting the right balance of nutrients. It’s believed that small meals at the same time each day can be easier to manage than larger meals three times a day. If you can, involve them in creating a meal plan of their favourite foods and in preparing and creating their meals. If you’re struggling for ideas, read our meals for elderly people guide or download our free recipe book.
Our Home Carers can support your loved one with preparing meals or shopping assistance. They can provide gentle reminders to take medication on time or stay hydrated and eat regularly throughout the day.
Help with incontinence & using the toilet
Managing incontinence for people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging. The most common type of incontinence for people living with dementia is an overreactive bladder, which causes the feeling of a sudden and intense need to urinate, or frequent urination. Another common symptom in people with memory loss is confusion. For example, your loved one may be unable to find or recognise the toilet which may cause them to urinate in inappropriate places, such as a bin that they’ve mistaken for a toilet. Additionally, they may be unable or forget how to use the toilet, like struggling to undo clothing before reaching the toilet. Therefore, you may need to consider incontinence products, such as absorbent pants or bed pads.
Legal support
What benefits am I entitled to when my husband, wife or parent has dementia?
As dementia progresses, your loved one may no longer be able to make their own decisions about their medical care. An advance decision15 (also known as a living will) is an opportunity for them to make decisions about refusing medical treatment at some time in the future; it’ll let their family and healthcare professionals know their wishes about refusing treatment if they’re unable to communicate them.
An advance decision can only apply if your loved one has the mental capacity to make the treatment decision for themselves. If it’s correctly made, their treatment refusal cannot be challenged by others and must be followed by healthcare professionals.16
If your loved one has specific wishes about their estate or medical care, preparing a will can provide peace of mind and clarity during a difficult time. When writing a will, it’s recommended to seek legal advice to ensure the will is legally valid and cannot be disputed; this can prevent disagreements between family members after their loved one has passed.
Guardianship protects the interests of those who are unable to care for themselves, such as incapacitated adults. Legal guardianship refers to the legal authority granted to someone to care for another person’s personal and property interests. If your loved one’s dementia is so progressive that they’re unable to make decisions due to mental incapacity, guardianship can give you peace of mind knowing that you have legal authority to make decisions on their behalf for their safety.

Financial support
Carer’s Allowance
Attendance Allowance
NHS Continuing Healthcare
Personal Independence Payment
Discover the cost of Dementia Care
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Quick questions
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1. Alzheimer’s Society, “Carers for people with dementia struggling in silence”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
2. Alzheimer’s Society, “Fix Dementia Care: NHS and care homes”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
3. GOV.UK, “Anticipatory Grief – the pain of an impending loss”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
4. Buckinghamshire Council, “Young onset dementia”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
5. Alzheimer’s Society, “Getting help and support as a carer”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
6. GOV.UK, “Dementia profile: prevalence and supporting well topics statistical commentary, March 2025”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
7. World Health Organization, “Fact sheets: Dementia”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
8. BBC iPlayer, “Newsnight: Fiona Phillips’s Alzheimer’s – Her Husband Speaks”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
9. Carers UK, “Less than half of us know how to identify an unpaid carer as millions miss out on support”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
10. NHS, “Coping with dementia behaviour changes”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
11. Alzheimer’s Society, “Physical activity, movement and exercise for people with dementia”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
12. Dementia UK, “The benefits of knitting for dementia”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
13. NHS England, “Music and dementia: a powerful connector”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
14. GOV.UK, “Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
15. NHS, “Advance decision to refuse treatment (living will)”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
16. Alzheimer’s Society, “Advance decisions and dementia”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
17. GOV.UK, “Making a will”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
18. GOV.UK, “Carer’s Allowance”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
19. GOV.UK, “Carer’s Credit”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
20. GOV.UK, “Attendance Allowance”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
21. NHS, “NHS continuing healthcare”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
22. GOV.UK, “Personal Independence Payment (PIP)”, Reviewed 31 July 2025
23. Alzheimer’s Society, “How does dementia affect sleep?”, Reviewed 31 July 2025