Analyzing the Costs of Informal Care for Persons with Dementia in Spain

Abstract

The objective of this article is to estimate the time and associated costs of informal caregiving for the elderly with different levels of dementia. In a cross-sectional observational study with 242 subjects, we use the Resident Assessment Instrument Home Care (RAI-HC) to compile information on socio-demographic variables, informal care, comorbidities, hearing and vision function, use of formal support services, use of locomotion aids, and dementia. We construct a multivariable regression model to determine the cost of informal care due dementia. Findings show a positive association of dementia severity and costs of informal care.

Finance transformation for healthcare: A structured model for planning and action

“…Such costs can be significant especially for patients with debilitating conditions like neurological diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease [38] and dementia.) [39,40] In planning the financing model, one should understand the implications on budget sustainability and take into account additional funding needed for patients who lack informal caregiver support.…”