How much does dementia care cost in the UK?
At the moment, people with dementia have to fund the complete cost of their care, unless they have assets of less than £23,250. This means many face the daunting prospect of spending everything they have on their care, until they spend under this limit.
'The total cost of care for people living with dementia is typically £100,000, but can cost as much as £500,000.'
The cost of dementia to the UK is currently £34.7 billion a year, which works out as an average annual cost of £32,250 per person with dementia. Two-thirds of this cost is currently being paid by people with dementia and their families, either in unpaid care or in paying for private social care.
Why does the cost of care fall on people affected by dementia and their families?
Dementia can be complex and involve symptoms that need tailored support. This means care providers often charge a premium rate for dementia care.
These extra costs are on average 15 per cent more than standard social care, and we have seen cases of it being up to 40 per cent more expensive. This isn’t covered by the NHS, as many people might expect.
Even funding meant to cover both health and care needs, such as NHS Continuing Healthcare, is often out of reach for people with dementia. Instead, people affected by dementia who need care end up paying more.
What happens if people affected by dementia don’t have the funds to pay for their care, or if their money runs out?
If people in need of care have assets between £14,250 and £23,249, then the local authority will contribute towards their care, with the individual paying the remainder. If the individual’s savings fall below £14,250 (in England), their savings are no longer taken into account, although other income such as benefits and pensions are counted.
If you run out of money, your council should start covering the costs of care. However, local authorities often pay a lot less than care homes normally charge, due to their tight budgets. If you can’t make up the shortfall through your own contributions, you may have to move into a different care home.
