Who has to pay for dementia care?

As dementia is not looked at as a healthcare need, it is not covered by the NHS. If your assets (including your home and savings) are worth:

Less than £14,250 — your local authority should pay the full cost;

£14,250-£23,250 — you’ll be expected to make a contribution, with your local authority paying the rest;

More than £23,250 — you will have to pay the full cost of your care. If you have a partner who still lives in a property that you both own then you won’t be forced to sell the property.

According to healthcare consultants LaingBuisson:

36% of dementia sufferers are fully council-funded;

13% are partly-funded by their local authority;

44% are entirely self-funded;

Just 7% are funded by the NHS.

How much does care cost?

The answer to this can vary based on location. A care home employs carers but use nurses when needed and a nursing home employs full time nurses.

South-East care home average £747 per week, nursing homes average £1,052 per week.

North-West care home average £530 per week, nursing home average £820 per week.

Because local authorities can use their buying muscle to negotiate better rates than an individual, people that have to pay
themselves end up subsidising those that are covered by the local authority.

According to Laing Buisson, the average self-funder pays £630 a week for a care home.

The Competition and Markets Authority claims that the additional weekly price of self-funding is £225.

In all local authorities and the NHS pay £9.3 billion a year on dementia care, people paying for themselves spend an incredible £14.5 billion a year.

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