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Getting Assessed

A guide to getting an assessment

Your loved one is entitled to a free assessment of their care needs. Anyone who may need care and support is entitled to have one. This is usually called a needs assessment. It is also sometimes called a health and social care assessment. It looks at what help your loved one may need with their care.

It is arranged by the local council in the person’s area and carried out by social services. You can organise an assessment on your loved one’s behalf simply by contacting their local council by phone, or you can request it online here.

Alternatively, your loved one’s local NHS provider or the local Citizens Advice Bureau may be able to help you request an assessment.

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Bear in mind it may take a while to get an assessment done. Even if your loved one is in the early stages of dementia and doesn’t need much support right now, it’s a good idea to start the process as soon as possible.

What’s the assessment for?

The assessment aims to determine if your loved one is eligible for funding to pay towards their care. If the person qualifies, their assets will be considered, and they may need to contribute towards the cost of care.

The assessment usually takes place face-to-face, and you can be with your loved one during while it takes place.

Who pays for care?

If the assessment shows that the person needs daily help, a financial assessment (means testing) will then occur to see if the local council should contribute to the cost of care. Most people are expected to pay for their own care.

Services provided if the person is considered eligible include home help with tasks like cleaning and shopping. It may also cover adaptations to your loved one’s home to make it easier for them to move around, such as a handrail on the stairs.

What are the different types of financial help?

There are several different types of financial help available in England and Wales:

  • Attendance Allowance – if the person is over the age of 65. For more information, visit the government website which gives details here.

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – if the person is under the age of 65, they can apply for PIP. Click here for more information.

  • Carer’s Allowance – if you care for your loved one for more than 35 hours a week and earn less than £100 per week. More detail is given here

  • NHS Continuing Healthcare – a package of care funded by the NHS for adults that can be provided in the person’s home or a care home. A dementia diagnosis doesn’t automatically mean the person will receive funding. To apply for NHS Continuing Healthcare, visit the person’s local ICB (Integrated Care Board).

More Information

You can learn more about the different types of financial help and how to apply here.