Why It Feels So Confusing

Most families expect to find a "dementia doctor" they can simply book. In reality, support is spread across several organisations that don't automatically talk to each other.

It isn't that you're missing something obvious. The system genuinely is complicated.

The good news is that once you know what each service is for, the path becomes much clearer.

Need More Personal Support?

Knowing who to call is one thing. Knowing which call to make first, and what to say when you get through, can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already juggling family, work and worry.

At The Care Lens, we can help you make sense of the options in Surrey, prepare for conversations with the GP, memory clinic and council, and decide what to do next. We're completely independent and take no commissions from care providers, so our guidance is always about what's right for your family. While we don't make decisions on behalf of the NHS or the council, we can help you approach each conversation with confidence and clarity.

Start The Conversation

None of these services is wrong, and none replaces the others. But they rarely coordinate with each other, and families are often left to join the dots at the most exhausting time of their lives.

That's where The Care Lens comes in. We are completely independent and take no commissions from care providers, so our only job is to help you understand your options and feel confident in your decisions, from diagnosis through to care choices.

One journey, one guide.

If you'd like to talk things through, you're welcome to book a free 15-minute call. There's no pressure and no obligation, just a friendly conversation about where you are and what might help next.

Where An Independent Surrey dementia Guide Fits

Many families want to keep someone at home for as long as it's safe and comfortable.

Care at home can be anything from a short daily visit to help with meals or medication, through to several visits a day or live-in care.

If the council assesses someone as eligible, it may arrange or fund this. Many families arrange and pay for it themselves.

Either way, home care agencies in England are regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and their inspection reports are free to read on the CQC website.

Experience with dementia matters more than a polished brochure. Ask how carers are trained, and whether the same familiar faces will be visiting. Consistency makes a real difference to someone living with dementia.

Step Five: Care At Home

A memory clinic, sometimes called a Memory Assessment Service, is where a diagnosis is made.

The team looks at memory and thinking, talks with the person and their family, and may arrange scans or further tests. If dementia is diagnosed, they usually explain which type it is, discuss possible treatments and talk about support.

This is the "dementia specialist" most families are looking for. The team may include old age psychiatrists, specialist nurses, psychologists and occupational therapists.

In much of Surrey, memory clinics are run by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, although this depends on where you live. Your GP will know which service covers your area.

Waiting times vary, so ask for an estimate when the referral is made. The good news is that other support doesn't have to wait for a diagnosis.

Step Two: The Memory Clinic

Adult Social Care is run by the council and is separate from the NHS.

This is where a Care Needs Assessment comes from. It looks at how dementia is affecting daily life and what support might help, and the assessment itself is free.

Surrey's Adult Social Care information and advice line is 0300 200 1005 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). You can also request an assessment online through the Surrey County Council website.

If the council arranges or funds care, there is a separate financial assessment to work out any contribution. Carers can also ask for an assessment of their own needs.

If you live near the edge of Surrey, your local council may be a different one, so it's worth checking by postcode first.

You can read more about what happens in our Care Needs Assessments guide.

Step Three: Surrey County Council Adult Social Care

Charities are often the most reassuring first call, because the people on the other end understand dementia and have time to listen.

Alzheimer's Society runs the Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456, which can point you towards local groups and services

Dementia UK runs a helpline staffed by specialist Admiral Nurses on 0800 888 6678. It is particularly helpful for family carers who want to talk a difficult situation through with an expert.

Locally, Age UK Surrey and Action for Carers Surrey offer advice, activities and support for carers.

Step Four: Charities And Specialist Nurses

For most families, the GP is the doorway to everything else.

A GP can talk through what you've noticed, check for other causes of memory problems, such as infections, medication side effects, low mood, or problems with hearing and sight, and refer to a specialist service if needed.

This is why there usually isn't a "dementia doctor" in Surrey that you contact directly through the NHS. The GP makes the referral.

The person with memory concerns usually needs to agree to that referral, so a gentle, unhurried conversation beforehand can make a big difference.

Some families also choose to see a private specialist. Even then, keeping the GP involved helps everyone share the same picture.

Step One: Start With The GP

Welcome

When someone you love begins to show signs of dementia, one of the first questions families ask is:

"Who do we actually call?"

There isn't one number that covers everything. Dementia support in Surrey is shared between the NHS, the council, private independent support like The Care Lens, local charities and care providers, and each one does a different job.

This guide explains who does what, the order families usually approach them in, and where you can get help without waiting for anyone else to move first.

The Care Lens Tip:

Before the appointment, write down a few specific examples of what you've noticed, with rough dates. Concrete examples help a GP far more than "they've been forgetful lately."

The Care Lens Tip:

You don't need a diagnosis to ask the council for help. If daily life is becoming difficult or unsafe, contact them alongside the GP route rather than waiting until it's finished.

Who To Call First, And What Each Service Actually Does

Reading time: Approximately 10 minutes

Dementia Support in Surrey a family guide

Frequently Asked Questions

This guide has been written by The Care Lens using practical experience alongside established guidance from organisations such as the NHS, Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and NICE. Every family is different, so this guide is intended to support—not replace—professional medical or legal advice where appropriate.

The Care Lens Tip

Dementia support isn't one service, it's several, and that's what makes it feel so confusing.
You don't have to do everything in perfect order.
You don't need a diagnosis to ask the council for help.
Asking for support early helps protect independence rather than take it away.

Is there a dementia doctor I can see directly in Surrey?
Not usually through the NHS. The GP is normally the first step, and they can refer to a memory clinic where specialists assess and diagnose. Some families also choose to see a private specialist, and it still helps to keep the GP informed.

Do we need a diagnosis before we can get help?
No. A Care Needs Assessment looks at how dementia is affecting daily life, and you can ask the council for one before a diagnosis is confirmed. Charity helplines such as Alzheimer's Society and Dementia UK are also there for anyone with concerns.

Who arranges dementia care at home in Surrey?
If the council's assessment finds someone eligible, it may arrange or fund care at home, and a financial assessment will look at any contribution. Many families arrange and pay for care themselves instead. Either way, home care agencies are regulated by the Care Quality Commission, and their inspection reports are free to read online.

What if my parent doesn't think anything is wrong?
This is very common, and it can be hard for someone to see changes from the inside. Try raising it gently, focusing on specific worries such as safety or general health rather than "memory problems". Some families find a routine check-up is an easier way in, and you can share what you've noticed with the GP in writing beforehand.

Don't Forget The Legal Side

Alongside the practical help, there is one task that becomes harder the longer it's left: a Lasting Power of Attorney.

It allows someone you trust to make decisions on a person's behalf if they can no longer make them. To set one up, the person must still have the mental capacity to understand what they are signing.

A dementia diagnosis doesn't automatically rule this out, but waiting can close the door.

A solicitor can advise, and our Lasting Power of Attorney guide explains the basics.

This guide offers general information rather than legal advice.