Comparison of Informal Care Time and Costs in Different Age-Related Dementias: A Review

Abstract

Objectives. Age-related dementia is a progressive degenerative brain syndrome whose prevalence increases with age. Dementias cause a substantial burden on society and on families who provide informal care. This study aims to review the relevant papers to compare informal care time and costs in different dementias. Methods. A bibliographic search was performed on an international medical literature database (MEDLINE). All studies which assessed the social economic burden of different dementias were selected. Informal care time and costs were analyzed in three care settings by disease stages. Results. 21 studies met our criteria. Mean informal care time was 55.73 h per week for Alzheimer disease and 15.8 h per week for Parkinson disease (P = 0.0076), and the associated mean annual informal costs were $17,492 versus $3,284, respectively (P = 0.0393). Conclusion. There is a lack of data about informal care time and costs among other dementias than AD or PD. Globally, AD is the most costly in terms of informal care costs than PD, $17,492 versus $3,284, respectively.

Cost of Living with Parkinson’s Disease over 12 Months in Australia: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…It has been reported that between 2005 and 2011 the cost of informal care for people with PD doubled ($5.4 million versus $11.2 million) [8]. This included income in a formal work environment foregone by carers [35]. The growth reflects the additional number of people with PD and higher average earnings in the workforce.…”

The main cost drivers in dementia: a systematic review

“…Although most of the reviewed studies apply a societal perspective, the inclusion of different cost categories as well as cost components in direct costs vary. A lack of precise description, cost estimation and transparency in reviewed studies is evident and has been criticized earlier (Bloom et al, 2001;Wimo et al, 2011;Costa et al, 2013). A degree of consensus on the cost categories and cost components to be included in COI studies in dementia is required, especially against the background that dementia affects many different types of costs.…”

The personal cost of dementia care in Japan: A comparative analysis of residence types

“…19 We assessed informal care costs for caregivers who were not working or were over 65 years of age at 30% of the mean wage of employed caregivers. [20][21][22][23] Time spent on supervision was assumed to be zero cost for the same reasons why we assess it separately. 5,17,18,24 A maximum daily informal care time of 16 hours was assumed in order to allow for other activities and sleeping time.…”