In plain English
Support for people affected by dementia comes from the NHS, local authorities, national charities, community organisations and private clinics. This section explains who does what, how to access each, and how the parts fit together.
The UK support landscape
Five sectors provide dementia support:
- The NHS: diagnostic assessment via memory clinics, ongoing prescribing, and acute hospital care when needed;
- Local authorities: social care, carers' assessments, community support, residential care funding;
- National charities: Alzheimer's Society, Dementia UK, Age UK, Carers UK and others provide information, peer support, and specialist services;
- Community providers: Memory Cafes, Singing for the Brain groups, befriending schemes, often co-ordinated by national or local charities;
- Private clinics: faster access to diagnostic assessment, diagnosis, care planning and prescribing, with any tests arranged directly.
The pages in this section
- NHS Memory Clinics: the standard UK assessment pathway.
- Alzheimer's Society: the UK's leading dementia charity. Dementia Connect, Talking Point, Singing for the Brain.
- Dementia UK and Admiral Nurses: specialist dementia nursing.
- Age UK: services for older adults across the UK.
- Carers UK: support and advocacy for unpaid carers.
- Local authority social care: care assessments, support packages, day care, respite.
- Working with your GP practice: how to make the most of NHS primary care.
- Private memory clinics: faster access and structured reporting.
- Old Age Psychiatry: the specialty for mental health in later life, including dementia.
- Research registries: Join Dementia Research and study participation.
- Emergency and out-of-hours support: NHS 111, 999, helplines after hours.
National helplines (save these)
- Alzheimer's Society Dementia Connect Support Line: 0333 150 3456;
- Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678;
- Carers UK Helpline: 0808 808 7777;
- Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602;
- NHS 111 for non-urgent health concerns;
- 999 in emergency;
- Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours);
- Silver Line (older adult befriending, 24 hours): 0800 470 80 90.
How to combine sectors effectively
Most families use several sectors. A typical combination:
- An NHS GP for ongoing prescribing and acute care;
- An NHS memory clinic for diagnostic assessment and annual review, or a private memory clinic for faster initial assessment and a structured letter;
- The Alzheimer's Society for information, peer support and Memory Cafes;
- An Admiral Nurse via Dementia UK for specialist family support if available;
- The local authority for social care, carer assessment and respite;
- Age UK for practical advice, benefits help and befriending.
Where The Dementia Service fits in
The Dementia Service is the leading UK Private Memory Clinic, offering virtual assessment, structured, ICD-11 aligned reports, MRI and ECG via partner providers, and prescribing directly where clinically appropriate, with no GP referral needed. A copy of your report is sent to your GP only with your consent.
Frequently asked questions
Are all these services free?
NHS services and charity helplines are free. Local authority services have means-tested charges depending on circumstances. Private memory clinic services are self-funded or via private insurance.
Where do I start after a diagnosis?
Save the Dementia Connect Support Line number, contact the Alzheimer's Society for local services, register with your memory clinic for follow-up, and request a Carer's Assessment from your local authority.
Can I use both NHS and private services?
Yes. Many families use private assessment for speed and a structured letter, then NHS follow-up and prescribing under shared care.
What is the difference between Alzheimer's Society and Dementia UK?
Both are national charities supporting people with dementia and their families. The Alzheimer's Society has wider community service provision; Dementia UK runs the Admiral Nurses for specialist family support.
Who do I call after hours?
NHS 111 for non-urgent health concerns, 999 for emergencies, Samaritans (116 123) for mental health support, Silver Line (0800 470 80 90) for older adult company and support.
References
- Alzheimer's Society. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
- Dementia UK. https://www.dementiauk.org
- Age UK. https://www.ageuk.org.uk
- NHS England. Dementia information and pathways.
