The Memory Care Report: Exploring Dementia Statistics in the UK

Dementia is one of the fastest-growing health challenges in the UK. As longer life expectancy increases, the number of people affected is increasing every year, but the country’s ability to care for those most vulnerable may not be keeping up.

In 2025, almost one million people (982,000) are estimated to be living with dementia in the UK, yet over a third remain undiagnosed.

These numbers represent families facing difficult choices, such as whether to continue caring for loved ones at home or seek professional support.

Caring at home can involve making adjustments, such as adjustable beds and profiling care beds, to ensure optimal comfort and support.

Where you live in the UK can significantly impact the level of care available to you.

At Opera Beds, we believe everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, and comfort, whether at home or in a care setting. We’ve created this report to reveal where in the UK support is most prepared for this growing challenge and where it is falling short.

Key takeaways

• The dementia divide: For every 100,000 people aged 65+, Surrey has 4,689 dementia specialist care beds, compared with just 2,585 in London. This means a person over 65 in Surrey has access to almost twice the dementia care capacity of someone in the capital, highlighting a postcode lottery in later-life care.

• Rural counties falling behind: Despite having some of the oldest populations in the UK, counties like Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset lag in both specialist care home beds and community support, leaving many families without adequate help close to home.

• Support services make the difference: Regions such as Birmingham show that investing in community-based and outpatient support, instead of just care homes, boosts overall dementia care capacity. Holistic care models clearly matter.

• The Southern shortfall: Parts of the South East, including Kent, Essex, and West Sussex, consistently underperform in dementia care capacity, suggesting pressures from workforce shortages and local authority coordination challenges.

• Planning ahead is essential: As dementia prevalence rises, families, local authorities, and policymakers must prioritise both residential capacity and home-based support, ensuring people can live safely and independently for as long as possible.

How many people in the UK have dementia?

Dementia affects people’s memory, reasoning, and ability to live independently. While treatments continue to improve, there is still no cure, making the quality of care, comfort, and environment key considerations for patients.

According to the NHS, dementia prevalence is rising sharply. There are currently almost one million people (982,000) in the UK living with dementia.

On top of this, more than one-third of people living with dementia remain undiagnosed, meaning many are not yet receiving the care, support, or adaptations they need to live safely at home.

By 2040, 1.4 million people are expected to have dementia. This increase could significantly stretch the UK’s health and social care systems.

 

The increase in dementia in the UK

Every percentage increase comes with thousands of new families entering the dementia care journey. Those affected often need home adaptations, respite support, and equipment such as profiling beds to ensure they can rest safely, move comfortably, and maintain a sense of independence for as long as possible.

With the growing rate of dementia diagnoses, the demand for professional carers, specialist housing, and safe environments will likely intensify in the coming years. The challenge ahead is ensuring the care infrastructure exists to support those living with dementia before the gap between demand and provision is too large to close.

Where dementia diagnoses are increasing the most

The growth in 65+ dementia diagnoses is not evenly distributed across the UK. Some areas are experiencing a particularly sharp rise, which is increasing pressure on local health and care systems.

These are the places where diagnosed dementia cases among over-65s have increased the most since 2020.

		Dementia diagnoses 65+
Rank	Location	August 2020	August 2025	Relative 5-year change
1	Rochdale	1,387	1,889	36.2%
2	Southampton	1,460	1,983	35.8%
3	Gravesham	573	766	33.7%
4	Worcester	701	916	30.7%
5	Oxford	908	1,179	29.8%
5	Luton	1,272	1,651	29.8%
7	Rugby	736	954	29.6%
8	Lincoln	914	1,141	24.8%
9	Worthing	1,239	1,542	24.5%
10	Woking	908	1,124	23.8%

 

1. Rochdale - Relative 5-year change in 65+ dementia diagnoses: 36.2%

Rochdale tops the chart for the largest rise in 65+ dementia diagnoses, increasing by over 500 people in five years.This surge reflects both improved detection and the town’s ageing population.¹ Local initiatives, such as community memory clinics and support groups, have played a crucial role in encouraging early diagnosis, although rising demand continues to challenge existing services.²

2. Southampton - Relative 5-year change in 65+ dementia diagnoses: 35.8%

Southampton has seen a similarly steep increase in its dementia diagnoses, highlighting improved awareness and diagnosis across the city. There are over 520 more people aged 65 and above who have dementia in the area today than there were five years ago.

The growing number of older adults living with dementia means local services, including memory clinics and home support programs, must grow to meet demand. 

Southampton’s Integrated Care Board has begun expanding dementia navigation services by developing memory cafes and dementia-friendly spaces.³ However, the rapid rise in diagnoses suggests that more investment is needed to properly support all of those affected.

3. Gravesham - Relative 5-year change in 65+ dementia diagnoses: 33.7%

Gravesham has seen its number of people aged 65 and above with dementia grow by a third since 2020.

Local authorities in the Kent and Medway area have begun coordinating multi-agency approaches to address the increase. These initiatives include GP-led memory assessments and support to the voluntary sector.⁴ ⁵

However, with rising numbers in a smaller urban area, services face greater pressure compared to larger towns with more developed infrastructure.

The most prepared areas for dementia care

Some parts of the UK have already taken significant steps to prepare for the future, investing in infrastructure, staffing, and specialist facilities.

Many top-ranking areas are in the South and South East, including Surrey, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, and Hampshire, where a combination of funding, infrastructure, and population distribution supports higher dementia care capacity.

Notably, Birmingham is the only major city among the top 10, highlighting how urban density can limit per-capita access to beds and services despite strong overall healthcare.

In contrast, rural or less densely populated counties often achieve better access per older adult, as services and care homes are more evenly distributed across the population.

Overall, the data shows that holistic care, with a balance of residential beds, care homes, and support services, matters more than bed numbers alone.

With almost 4,700 dementia specialist care home beds, over 88 dementia specialist care homes, and over 37 dementia support services per 100,000 people aged 65 and above, Surrey leads the UK in care readiness.

The area’s comprehensive network of services, from NHS memory clinics to private care facilities and voluntary support, provides multiple options for early diagnosis and ongoing care.

The region’s local governance and public health funding have supported dementia-friendly community initiatives. At the same time, its care homes increasingly feature principles such as healthy eating and maintaining dignity.⁶

Surrey’s approach demonstrates how combining infrastructure with innovation can make a tangible difference in supporting individuals living with dementia.

2. Birmingham - Capacity for dementia care score: 7.72/10

Birmingham’s network of over 3,600 dementia specialist care home beds, almost 78 dementia specialist care homes, and almost 67 dementia support services per 100,000 adults aged over 65 gives it one of the most prepared dementia care systems in the UK.

It stands out that the city ranks highly despite having fewer beds than some other regions. This demonstrates how a strong network of community-based and outpatient support services can make a real difference.

The city’s investment in integrated health and social care partnerships allows families to access both clinical and emotional support close to home.

The community outreach work in Birmingham, including culturally sensitive dementia support programmes, helps ensure diverse populations are not left behind.⁷ ⁸

While demand continues to grow, Birmingham’s collaborative model demonstrates how local authorities can bring together public health, care providers, and voluntary organisations to improve the lives of those who are most vulnerable.

3. Nottinghamshire - Capacity for dementia care score: 7.37/10

With almost 3,800 dementia specialist care home beds and over 80 dementia specialist care homes per 100,000 residents aged 65 and above, Nottinghamshire’s care infrastructure is one of the most capable in managing rising cases.

The area benefits from a strong network of care homes and memory clinics that are embedded in the community.

Nottinghamshire health services have also focused on prevention and supporting carers, providing training and information sessions.⁹

The area’s challenge going forward will be ensuring that enough skilled care staff are available to match its excellent facilities. However, overall, it is a strong model for regional preparedness.

The least prepared areas for dementia care

London ranks lowest for dementia care readiness, with only around 2,600 dementia specialist care home beds and fewer than seven dementia support services per 100,000 older adults.

This is particularly striking because, while the city has some of the world’s leading hospitals and specialist medical expertise, these strengths do not automatically mean that community-based dementia care is readily accessible.

Highly specialised hospital services often focus on acute or complex cases, leaving gaps in everyday support, home care provision, and local care home capacity for the majority of people living with dementia.

The city’s high living costs, space constraints, and stretched NHS trusts have all likely contributed to the shortfall.

For home care, the challenge is accelerated by fragmented service provision across boroughs.

London’s situation shows how even resource-rich areas can struggle in a climate of population density and demand.

2. Kent - Capacity for dementia care score: 2.11/10

With just over 3,200 dementia specialist care home beds and fewer than 19 dementia support services per 100,000 older adults, Kent falls far short of projected demand.

Over a fifth of the population is aged over 65, and the ageing community is likely outpacing investment in specialist care.¹⁰

While local initiatives have promoted dementia-friendly communities, many may struggle to access specialist support or respite care when supply does not meet demand

More NHS funding and collaboration with the private sector will be essential to close this widening gap.

3. Essex - Capacity for dementia care score: 2.98/10

Essex has almost 3,300 dementia specialist care home beds but just over 27 support services per 100,000 older adults.

The low number of support services creates access issues for both professionals and families caring for those with dementia, with the issue likely being worse in more rural areas.

Despite strong voluntary sector involvement, the area’s community services may be under-resourced compared to demand.

Without strategic investment, Essex risks becoming one of the hardest-hit regions as dementia prevalence rises.

Areas with the most MSNAP-accredited memory services

Accreditation from the Memory Services National Accreditation Programme (MSNAP) indicates the highest standards in dementia diagnosis and care. These regions lead the way in specialist memory services.

2. Channel Islands - 11.81 MSNAP-accredited memory services per million people

Like the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands benefit from a contained population and unified care governance.

Services emphasise continuity of care, where the same professionals often follow a person’s journey from diagnosis through to long-term management.

This consistency builds trust and reduces fragmentation, a challenge frequently experienced in mainland systems.

3. South East - 2.39 MSNAP-accredited memory services per million people

The South East is the best-performing mainland region, reflecting sustained investment in NHS memory clinics and community partnerships.

Its MSNAP-accredited services provide reliable access to evidence-based assessments and post-diagnostic support.

Given the region’s large and ageing population, continued expansion in future years will be essential.

Expert advice on navigating dementia care

Dr Tim Mercer gives advice on how people choose between caring for a loved one at home or moving them into a specialist setting:

“Every family’s situation is unique, but planning early makes all the difference. Begin by considering your loved one’s current needs and how they may evolve over time. Dementia is progressive, so it’s important to balance safety, comfort, and emotional well-being.

“For many, home care offers familiarity and independence, especially when the environment is adapted for safety. Profiling care beds help prevent falls and make everyday care easier for both the person living with dementia and their carers.

“It’s also helpful to watch for practical signs that it might be time to consider a care home. These can include:

• Difficulty managing personal hygiene

• Frequent falls or safety incidents

• Significant weight loss

• Poor nutrition

• Increasing agitation or confusion

• Caregivers feeling overwhelmed or unable to provide adequate support

“When home becomes difficult to manage safely, it may be time to explore specialist settings. The goal isn’t to give up home living, but to ensure the right support and dignity at every stage of life.

“Other steps include creating a clear care plan, seeking advice from your GP or a dementia care specialist, exploring respite care options to give family carers breaks, and reviewing home modifications regularly to maintain safety as needs change.”

“Whether at home or in a care facility, the main priorities are comfort, safety, and quality of life, supported by the right environment and equipment.”

Methodology

Opera Beds has designed and supplied home-hospital beds that combine advanced clinical features with a homelike style for over 20 years. Our mission is to improve comfort, mobility, and independence for people across the UK through thoughtful, high-quality bed solutions.

Keen to understand the state of dementia in the UK, we wanted to explore the changing rate of dementia and regional services by analysing the following data:

The number of people in the UK with dementia in 2025 and the predicted number of people in the UK with dementia in 2040 were sourced using the Alzheimer’s Society, accessed 8th October 2025.

The number of people diagnosed with dementia by year was sourced using the NHS England Recorded Dementia Diagnoses (pre-October 2022 and post-October 2022), looking at September diagnoses where possible, and August for 2025.

The number of 65+ dementia diagnoses by local authority area was sourced using the NHS England Primary Care Dementia Data August 2025, looking at the Dementia Register 65+. This was compared to August 2020 using the NHS England Primary Care Dementia Data August 2020.

The number of care home beds and care homes per 100,000 people aged 65+ by local authority was sourced using the Care Quality Commission using the Care directory with filters (1st October 2025), looking at the "Care home" and "Service user band - Dementia" filters. This was normalised to population data sourced from the Office for National Statistics mid-2024 population figures.

The top 20 locations with the most 65+ people were examined further, and the number of Alzheimer's support services per 100,000 65+ population was calculated using the Alzheimer’s Society Find Support Near You, which looked at all support types within 10 miles of each city (20 miles for London), accessed 8th October 2025.

This was combined with care homes and care home beds per 100,000 people aged 65 and above into a normalised ranking, with each factor given equal weighting, to calculate the capacity for dementia care score out of 10.

MSNAP members by region were sourced from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Current MSNAP members, accessed on 8th October 2025. These figures were normalised to population using the Office for National Statistics mid-2024 population figures, Statistics Jersey Population figures for 2024, States of Guernsey 2023 Population, and Isle of Man Government Population Report.

All figures were rounded to 1 decimal place

¹ Rochdale Borough Council: Ageing well JSNA

² KYP: Ambition for Ageing Rochdale

³ NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight: Southampton City Five-Year Health and Care Strategy 2020-2025

⁴ NHS Kent and Medway: Kent and Medway Draft Joint Forward Plan

⁵ Kent County Council: Adult Social Care Prevention Framework 2025-2035

⁶ Surrey County Council: Creating Thriving Care Homes

⁷ Birmingham Irish Association: Dementia Care

⁸ Birmingham Connect to Support: Directory search

⁹ Nottinghamshire Carers Association: Alzheimer's Society

¹⁰ Kent County Council: People