CQC Highlights Good Practice in Dementia Care
Dementia care isn’t just about treatment, it’s about experience. New research from the Care Quality Commission highlights what high-quality dementia care should actually look like and where services are still falling short. From person-centred support to better coordination across services, the message is clear. Care needs to be more joined-up, more compassionate, and built around the individual.
Introduction
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published new research identifying examples of good practice in health and social care for people living with dementia. The findings draw on good practice issued from UK and international universities and health and social care organisations supporting people with dementia, along with insights from discussion groups involving experts, regulators, and people with lived experience.
The research aims to define what high-quality dementia care should look like and improvements to be made across health and social care services.
Why This Matters
Dementia affects a significant and growing number of people across the UK. As services face increasing demand, ensuring consistent, person-centred support is essential.
The CQC research highlights that good dementia care relies not only on clinical treatment but also on compassionate, coordinated care that supports individuals and their families throughout the dementia journey.
Key Features of Good Dementia Care
The research identifies several areas that consistently contribute to better experiences for people living with dementia:
Person-centred care
Care should be tailored to the individual, recognising their personal preferences, needs, and life experiences.
Compassionate and skilled staff
Staff who are well trained in dementia care and understand how to communicate and respond appropriately can significantly improve outcomes.
Supportive care environments
Physical environments that are calm, familiar, and dementia-friendly can help reduce anxiety and confusion. Social interaction and structured, meaningful, inclusive activities help maintain wellbeing and can lessen dementia symptoms.
Joined-up care across services
Effective collaboration between primary care, hospitals, social care, and community services is crucial for providing continuous support.
Involving families and carers
Family members and carers often play a central role in supporting people with dementia and should be included in care planning and decision-making.
Challenges Identified
Despite examples of good practice, the CQC notes that many services still face challenges in delivering consistent dementia care.
Common issues include limited staff training, environments that are not designed for people with dementia, and gaps in coordination between health and social care services.
Addressing these barriers will be essential to improving experiences for patients and carers.
Looking Ahead
The CQC will build on the report last year on health and social care support for people with dementia. Findings from this research will be used to shape its dementia strategy, informed by conversations with people with lived experience, charities and support organisations, dementia specialists, and government partners—aligned with the immediate recommendations from the Casey Commission. This work will include developing guidance to help providers deliver high‑quality dementia care across health and social care, which will begin co‑producing from autumn 2026.
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