The Rise of Dementia in Scotland's Care Homes: Staffing Needs and Trends Over the Last Decade

macresearchandcons
Nov 17, 2025
3 min read

Dementia has become a growing challenge in Scotland's care homes over the past ten years. As the number of residents with cognitive impairments increases, care providers face mounting pressure to ensure staff are properly trained to meet these complex needs. This post explores how dementia prevalence has changed in Scotland’s care homes, the impact on staffing, and the current state of workforce training to manage this rise effectively.

Eye-level view of a quiet care home lounge with dementia-friendly design features — A calm care home lounge designed for residents with dementia

How Dementia Prevalence Has Changed in Scotland’s Care Homes

Over the last decade, dementia rates in Scotland’s care homes have steadily increased. According to data from the Scottish Government and Alzheimer Scotland:

In 2013, approximately 40% of care home residents were diagnosed with dementia or significant cognitive impairment.
By 2023, this figure rose to nearly 60%, reflecting both an aging population and improved diagnosis rates.
The number of people aged 65 and over in Scotland increased by 15% during this period, contributing to higher dementia cases.

This rise is partly due to longer life expectancy and better healthcare allowing people to live with dementia for extended periods. Care homes now accommodate more residents with moderate to severe dementia, requiring specialised care approaches.

Impact on Care Home Staffing

The increase in dementia prevalence has transformed the demands placed on care home staff. Residents with dementia often need:

More personalised care plans
Assistance with daily living activities such as eating, dressing, and mobility
Behavioural support to manage symptoms like agitation or confusion
Enhanced communication techniques to reduce distress

These needs require staff to have specific skills beyond general caregiving. Care homes have had to adjust staffing levels and invest in training to maintain quality care.

Staffing Levels and Challenges

Many care homes report a need for higher staff-to-resident ratios to safely support residents with dementia.
Recruitment and retention of qualified dementia care workers remain challenging due to the emotional and physical demands of the role.
Some rural areas in Scotland face additional difficulties attracting trained staff.

Training for Dementia Care in Scotland’s Care Homes

Training is critical to equip staff with the knowledge and skills to manage the growing number of residents with cognitive impairment. Scotland has made efforts to improve dementia care training through:

The Promoting Excellence Framework, which sets out knowledge and skills expected at different staff levels.
Mandatory dementia awareness training for all care home workers.
Specialist courses focusing on communication, behaviour management, and person-centred care.

How Many Staff Are Trained?

Recent reports indicate:

Around 75% of care home staff have completed basic dementia awareness training.
Only about 40% have received advanced training tailored to managing complex dementia symptoms.
Larger care providers tend to have higher training rates due to more resources.
Smaller or independent homes sometimes struggle to provide comprehensive training.

Examples of Training Impact

In care homes where staff receive thorough dementia training:

Residents show fewer episodes of distress and agitation.
Staff report greater confidence and job satisfaction.
Families express higher satisfaction with the quality of care.

One care home in Edinburgh implemented a dementia champions programme, training select staff as experts who support colleagues. This approach improved communication and reduced hospital admissions among residents.