What is a memory care home? How it differs in England

‘Memory care’ is a term some providers use for homes or units that specialise in dementia, but in England it is not a separate registration category. Homes are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as care homes with or without nursing, and can record dementia as a specialism. Always check what a home actually provides, not what it calls itself.

At a glance

• Care homes in England are regulated by CQC and described as residential (without nursing) or nursing (with nursing); some offer both.
• CQC lets providers list ‘Dementia’ as a specialism, which means they must have the skills and experience to meet those needs.
• ‘Dementia care’, ‘specialist dementia care’, ‘EMI’ and ‘memory care’ are all used loosely, so ask for specifics.
• Funding rules are the same as for any care home: means-tested council help, self-funding, or NHS support if eligible.
• Check the latest CQC report, staff dementia training and how the home would handle your relative’s changing needs.

What does ‘memory care’ mean?

The phrase is common in North America, and some UK providers now use it in marketing for a home, floor or wing designed for people with memory problems. It does not have a legal definition here. In the CQC and NHS descriptions we reviewed, care homes are described as residential or nursing, with specialisms shown separately, and ‘memory care’ is not used as a registration category. That means two homes that both say ‘memory care’ may offer very different levels of staffing, training, design and nursing cover.

In England you are more likely to see terms such as ‘dementia care home’, ‘specialist dementia unit’ or ‘EMI’, short for elderly mentally infirm; see EMI care homes explained. Our guide to choosing a dementia care home sets out how to compare them.

How are care homes registered in England?

Age UK describes care homes with dementia care as set up to help people feel comfortable and safe, often with nurses trained in dementia care. For help deciding between types, see residential or nursing home?

What does CQC’s Dementia specialism mean?

CQC uses ‘service user bands’ to record the specialist groups a service supports. The examples it gives include Dementia, physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health, learning disability and autism. On the Dementia band, CQC says a person with dementia may lose cognitive abilities over time, which can cause anxiety, distress or behaviour changes, and providers using the band must have the skills and experience to respond.

• Bands apply to the location, not to any one person.
• A provider should only accept someone whose current needs are covered by its bands.
• CQC checks staff knowledge and skills against the bands during registration, assessment and inspection, and displays the bands on its website.

A band tells you what a home says it can do. It is not a rating of quality, so read the inspection report too: CQC ratings explained and how to read a CQC inspection report.

What should good dementia-focused care look like?

Age UK and the NHS suggest looking for these signs in any home that supports people with dementia:

• All staff are trained in dementia care, not only a specialist team.
• A full-time activity coordinator who specialises in dementia-friendly activities.
• Living areas with chairs grouped to encourage socialising, and a safe garden for walking.
• The manager arranges an assessment before admission to confirm the home can meet the person’s needs.
• Regular relatives’ meetings.
• Dementia-friendly design: good lighting, contrast, clear signs and fewer hazards, as the NHS describes for homes in general.

See meaningful activities in care homes and questions to ask when visiting a care home for visit checklists.

What are the main differences between types of home for dementia?

If a person has complex needs, NHS continuing healthcare may pay the full cost. A dementia diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility, as the NHS notes, and top-up fees cannot be added to a continuing healthcare package. See continuing healthcare for dementia and NHS-funded nursing care.

How much does it cost and who pays?

There is no national price list for dementia care homes, and fees vary by area, room, level of need and provider. The NHS explains that if the council funds a place, it sets a personal budget and the person is generally expected to contribute; families can pay a top-up if they choose a more expensive home than the council considers necessary; and people who do not qualify for council help pay in full. In England, council help depends on capital being below £23,250. For regional figures, see dementia care costs by region, care home top-up fees and is dementia care free?

Ask for a written fee schedule that shows what is included, what extras cost and how fee rises are decided. If a home charges more for its dementia or ‘memory care’ area, ask exactly what the extra pays for in staffing and activities.

Questions to ask a home that offers ‘memory care’

• How is the service registered with CQC, and does it list Dementia as a specialism?
• How many staff are on shift in the dementia area by day and night, and what dementia training do they have?
• Can the person stay if their needs increase, including nursing and end-of-life care?
• Are doors locked or alarmed, and how does the home protect residents’ rights? See DoLS in care homes.
• How does the home use life story information and personal routines?
• How are fees set and what happens if they rise?

Frequently asked questions

Is memory care the same as a nursing home?

No. A nursing home provides 24-hour care from qualified nurses, while ‘memory care’ is a marketing description for dementia-focused support. A memory care unit could sit within a residential or a nursing home, so check the registration.

Do memory care homes in the UK have to be registered?

Yes. In England, the Care Quality Commission regulates all care homes, whatever they call themselves. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own regulators. You can read inspection reports before choosing.

When does someone with dementia need a specialist home?

It depends on safety, behaviour, health needs and what family and home care can provide. See when should someone with dementia go into a care home and dementia care home vs home care.

Is memory care more expensive?

Often fees are higher where staffing or nursing is higher, but there is no standard price. Ask for a full breakdown and compare it against similar homes using the care cost calculator.

Where to get help next

Search by area through find care, compare options with our comparison page, and read about how we assess listings in how we rank. Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Support Line (0333 150 3456) and your council’s adult social care team can also help.

Sources

• CQC: Service user bands
• NHS: Dementia and care homes
• Age UK: The different types of care homes
• NHS: NHS continuing healthcare
• NHS: NHS-funded nursing care

Reviewed by The Care Panel team on 9 November 2026. This guide is general information about care in England, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules and rates change; check with your council or an adviser before making decisions.