What a dementia diagnosis can mean
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be incredibly daunting. More and more people are being diagnosed with varying forms of dementia. As our understanding of the condition grows, we’re getting better at being able to diagnosis people with the condition. With an ageing population, more people are likely to be diagnosed with the condition. This means that many people are asking ‘if I have dementia will I qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare?’
What impact does a dementia diagnosis have on your eligibility for NHS Continuing Healthcare funding?
NHS Continuing Healthcare does not directly relate to diagnosis. A specific diagnosis to some extent, can be considered irrelevant; it is your actual healthcare needs that are relevant. This means that people with a diagnosis of dementia do not automatically qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare. However, many people with dementia do still qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare.
So why does a dementia diagnosis matter?
Many people with dementia present with a ‘primary health need’. NHS Continuing Healthcare is granted to those whose needs arise out of their healthcare needs. There is no formal definition of a ‘primary health need’ but can mean many things. People with dementia, particularly in the later stages, exhibit healthcare needs that are likely to develop into a ‘primary health need’ and this increases their chances of qualifying for full care funding. A ‘primary health need’ for people with dementia can often mean severe cognitive impairment, loss of communication, challenging behaviour, psychological issues, full assistance with medication and nutrition, altered states of consciousness or care for severe memory loss and sometimes mobility problems.
When will I know if I will qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare?
Dementia is a condition that presents in different ways and no one person’s symptoms are exactly the same. Their ‘primary health needs’ could develop very early or very late after diagnosis or they may never be diagnosed. At any time, an individual or their family may feel like they have started to predominantly present with healthcare needs. At this point, they can request to have an NHS Continuing Healthcare assessment. Even if you are found ineligible for NHS Continuing Healthcare that is not a permanent decision. You can be retested when your situation changes.
Find out how strong your case might be
For your free initial consultation to find out how strong your case for NHS Continuing Healthcare is contact Just Caring Legal.
Call us now on 0191 556 1078 or email us at [email protected]