What is the Best Debit Card for Dementia Patients?
Managing Money with Dementia
For people living with dementia, managing money can become increasingly difficult. Everyday tasks like tracking expenses, remembering PINs, and understanding bank statements can feel overwhelming. As cognitive abilities decline there is an increased risk of financial mistakes, overspending, and scams.
A dementia-friendly debit card can offer a practical solution—helping individuals retain their financial independence, spend safely and continue to enjoy their everyday activities.
Understanding the Needs
People living with dementia, particularly in the early stages, often want to continue handling their own finances and making purchases. However, they may also need extra safeguards to protect against fraud or unintentional overspending.
A debit card designed for dementia can offer a balance between independence and security, giving both individuals and their families the tools to manage money safely.
Key Features to Consider
When choosing a debit card for someone with dementia, look for features that enhance financial safety and ease of use, such as:
✅ Spend limits – Set daily or monthly limits to prevent overspending and large cash withdrawals
✅ Real-time notifications – A designated supporter receives alerts for every transaction
✅ Easy-to-use card and app – A simple, intuitive design with clear instructions for ease of use
✅ No overdraft facility – Ensures that the cardholder cannot accidentally go into debt
✅ Remote account management – Allows a support to manage settings from a mobile app in real-time
✅ Customer support – Access to reliable support in case of any concerns
Sibstar: A Solution Designed for People Living with Dementia
One debit card specifically designed for people living with dementia is the Sibstar debit card.
Developed by Jayne Sibley, whose personal experience caring for her mum inspired the idea, Sibstar has a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society. It provides a flexible, secure, and easy-to-use way for individuals to continue managing their own money—with extra safeguards in place for peace of mind.
Key Features of the Sibstar:
✔️ Customisable daily spend limit – Helps prevent overspending while maintaining access to funds.
✔️ Auto top-up – Ensures the cardholder always has money available by automatically adding funds when the balance is low.
✔️ Real-time notifications – Sends instant alerts to both the cardholder and designated caregivers.
✔️ Sibstar app – A dedicated app that allows caregivers to set limits, track transactions, and freeze the card if necessary.
✔️ Preloaded funds – No overdraft facility, so users can only spend what is available.
✔️ Contactless payments – Convenient for making everyday purchases safely.
Other Options to Consider
Sibstar is one of the most comprehensive solutions available, but you may wish to explore other options depending on individual needs. Some banks offer basic accounts with limited debit card features, which may be useful in certain situations.
However, many of these traditional bank accounts lack features like spend limits, real-time notifications, and caregiver or supporter oversight, which are essential for dementia-friendly money management.
Carers cards are also available but are designed for you to spend on behalf of the person you’re supporting. Many of the alternatives severely limit the the financial independence of the person living with dementia.
Preparing for the future
💬 Early conversations: Discussing financial management sooner rather than later can help ensure the person with dementia is involved in the decisions regarding their finances.
💡 Power of attorney: If the person with dementia has granted power of attorney, their chosen representative can help manage financial decisions, including selecting the right debit card.
🏦 Support from organisations: Charities, associations and financial service providers offer specialist support and advice for customers living with dementia—it's worth asking about the options available to find the best for your circumstances.
Choosing the right debit card can make a huge difference in the life of someone with dementia. The right card allows them to maintain independence, stay financially secure, and reduce stress for those that care for them.
By carefully considering the available features and seeking advice from dementia support organisations, you can find a solution that meets your loved one’s needs—giving everyone the peace of mind they deserve.
