The contribution of neuropsychiatric symptoms to the cost of dementia care.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the contribution of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) to the costs of care.


METHODS
A one-year prospective study of resource utilization recorded monthly by 500 caregivers of community dwelling patients with dementia. The effect of behavior on total, direct and indirect costs of care was examined.


RESULTS
The total cost of care was $1,298 per month and there was a significant independent relationship between costs and BPSD. The incremental cost of a one point increase in Neuropsychiatric Inventory score was $30 per month (95% CI: $19-$41).


CONCLUSIONS
BPSD contribute significantly to the overall costs of dementia care. Interventions targeted at BPSD may help to reduce the staggering societal costs of this illness.
Herrmann
Nathan
N
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Lanctôt
Krista L
KL
Sambrook
Robert
R
Lesnikova
Nadia
N
Hébert
Réjean
R
McCracken
Peter
P
Robillard
Alain
A
Nguyen
Elizabeth
E
D000368:Aged; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000191:economics*; D002170:Canada; D003704:Dementia / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies