Cost effectiveness of a training program for dementia carers.
An intensive 10-day residential training program for dementia carers has previously been shown to be associated with increased patient survival at home and decreased psychological morbidity in carers (Brodaty & Gresham, 1989). Results from a further follow-up, about 39 months after entry into the trial, were even more impressive. Patients whose carers had trained in the program had much higher adjusted rates of survival at home (53% versus 13%) and, unexpectedly, fewer deaths (20% versus 41%) than those whose carers did not have training. Patients whose carers had delayed training achieved intermediate results (31% surviving at home and 21% dying). These results were achieved with an average saving of $A7,967 ($U.S.5975) per patient over the first 39 months.
Brodaty
H
H
Memory Disorders Clinic, Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Peters
K E
KE
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003704:Dementia / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015161:Dementia, Multi-Infarct / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000191:economics*; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics; D015996:Survival Rate