Dementia: the cost of care for behaviourally disturbed patients living in the community.

Overview

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost of care of people with dementia and behavioural disturbances living in the community, which is currently unknown. DESIGN, SETTING & PATIENTS: This is a study of 12 randomly selected subjects attending a continuing care dementia day facility for people with behavioural disturbances. MEASURES: Hours of care received from different sources were recorded and costed. RESULTS: The total mean direct costs to the public services was pound400 per person per week. Caregiver's time costed at professional rates were pound1208 per person per week. CONCLUSIONS: Unpaid caregivers supported by publicly funded agencies provide a less expensive service compared to specialised institutional care.