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Dementia: diagnosis, support and lasting power of attorney

In short: See your GP about memory worries. After a diagnosis, ask the council for a free care needs assessment. Make a lasting power of attorney while you still can — register it with the Office of the Public Guardian.
Older person and a younger adult looking at a photo album together on a sofa, with a cat nearby.

In short

  1. See your GP if you are worried about memory or thinking. They can check other causes and refer you to a memory clinic if needed.
  2. After a diagnosis, ask your council for a free care needs assessment. Carers can ask for their own assessment too.
  3. Make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) while you still can. It must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.

Urgent? If someone is in danger or very unwell, call 999. For urgent medical help, call NHS 111 or contact your GP. This page is information only. It cannot diagnose dementia or give personal advice.

Dementia is a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking and day-to-day life. Getting a diagnosis early helps you plan support and future decisions. This guide is for England. Rules elsewhere in the UK can differ.

How to get a diagnosis

  1. See your GP. They will ask about symptoms and everyday tasks such as washing, cooking and paying bills. Take someone who knows you well if you can (NHS: how to get a dementia diagnosis).
  2. Rule out other causes. The GP may do a physical check and blood or urine tests.
  3. Referral to a specialist. If other causes are ruled out, you may be referred to a memory clinic or a specialist such as an old-age psychiatrist, geriatrician or neurologist.
  4. The diagnosis conversation. Your doctor should ask if you want to know the diagnosis, explain the type if known, talk about treatments and local support, and give written information. They should also talk about driving, work, advocacy and where to get legal and money advice.

After diagnosis, the GP should see you from time to time. The memory service may also keep seeing you in the early stages. Medicines help some people, but not everyone.

Support after diagnosis

Lasting power of attorney (LPA)

An LPA lets you choose people you trust (attorneys) to make decisions if you later cannot. Marriage or a civil partnership does not automatically give that power (NHS: managing legal affairs).

There are two types. You can make one or both:

  1. You must have mental capacity when you make the LPA.
  2. Use the free online service on GOV.UK, or paper forms. Someone can help you fill them in.
  3. Register each LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian. Registration usually takes about 8 to 10 weeks if there are no mistakes.
  4. The fee is £92 per LPA (so £184 for both types). Reductions or exemptions may apply if you are on a low income or certain benefits. Check the current fee on GOV.UK before you apply.

Office of the Public Guardian helpline: 0300 456 0300. Charities can point you to reliable information but cannot usually give legal advice.

If you disagree with care decisions

Complain to the council or NHS body first. Then you can go to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman or the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. Both are free.

Examples

Example Early planning. After a memory clinic diagnosis, Maya and her partner made both LPAs online and registered them. Later, when decisions got harder, the attorneys could act without going to court.
Example Council help. Sam's dad was struggling to cook and wash. Sam asked the council for a needs assessment. A social worker visited and arranged morning care and a day service.

These are made-up examples. They are not real people. Every case is different.

Free help

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Information only. This is about England. It is not legal, medical or personal advice. Rules and fees can change — always check GOV.UK and NHS pages for the latest.

Information only. This page explains official guidance in plain English. It is not legal or medical advice. Rules can change. For advice about your own case, contact Citizens Advice or another free adviser.

Where this applies: England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different rules.

Written by Social Care Made Easy. Last checked: 29 October 2026.