People affected by dementia who receive benefits may also be eligible for help with housing costs, such as housing benefit, SMI and support with council tax.

Find out more about claiming benefits, including how to claim, where to get support and how to complain.

If you are living with dementia, or caring for someone with the condition, you may be eligible for some benefits if dementia affects your ability to work, or if you have extra costs because of it. 

The Mental Health Act does not affect the power that attorneys or deputies have to make decisions about the person with dementia's welfare or property and affairs.

It isn’t always necessary to detain a person in hospital for them to be assessed or treated. When detention isn’t necessary, section 7 of the Mental Health Act gives the option for an individual called a ‘guardian’ to be appointed.

The powers that are created by the Mental Health Act can have a significant effect on a person’s freedoms. This is why the Act also contains some safeguards to protect the person’s rights.

Some sections of the Mental Health Act may be relevant to people with dementia and their carers.

Sometimes the law allows a person with serious mental health needs to be detained in hospital against their will. This is so that they can be assessed or treated. This can include someone with dementia.