title: The contribution of neuropsychiatric symptoms to the cost of dementia care.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Krista L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lanctôt
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sambrook
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lesnikova
authors.forename: Réjean
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hébert
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McCracken
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robillard
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: 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