Summary of The Benefits of Non-Drug Interventions for Alzheimer’s Care:
Four non-drug interventions for dementia care have resulted in cost savings of up to $13,000, reduced nursing home admissions, and improved patients’ quality of life, according to a study by Brown University. The interventions, including at-home care coordination and outpatient clinic caregiving, were evaluated using a computer simulation model for their cost-effectiveness compared to standard care. The researchers recommend that health insurance policies incentivize providers and health systems to implement these interventions for dementia patients. The National Institute on Aging funded the study.
*****
Non-Drug Interventions for Dementia Lead to Cost Savings, Improved Quality of Life, and Reduced Nursing Home Admissions
A Brown University research team has found that implementing four non-pharmacological interventions for dementia care can lead to cost savings of up to $13,000, improved quality of life, and decreased nursing home admissions compared to conventional care. These interventions have been clinically shown to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers and may help them stay safe at home longer.
Computer Modeling Shows Cost Savings for Non-Pharmacological Interventions
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, utilized a computer simulation model to demonstrate the cost-saving potential of four interventions for caring for individuals with dementia. The results showed that these interventions saved anywhere from $2,800 to $13,000 in societal costs, depending on the specific intervention. In addition, the interventions reduced nursing home admissions and improved the quality of life for people with dementia compared to the standard care received.
Four Non-Pharmacological Interventions Proven Effective for Dementia Care
The four interventions studied included Maximizing Independence at Home, New York University Caregiver, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care, and Adult Day Service Plus. These non-pharmacological interventions provide family caregivers with knowledge, skills, and support tailored to their care challenges. They have been shown to improve the quality of life for both caregivers and persons living with dementia, as well as reduce nursing home admissions.
Non-Drug Interventions Should Be Considered in Health Insurance Policies
The researchers recommend that health insurance policies incentivize providers and health systems to implement these cost-effective, non-pharmacological interventions for dementia patients. While non-drug interventions are well-studied, they haven’t been widely implemented in clinical care centers, and there isn’t currently an infrastructure to support these care methods. The importance of understanding the cost-effectiveness of non-drug Alzheimer’s and dementia interventions is further highlighted by changes in Medicare payment models and emerging Alzheimer’s therapeutics.
Future Research
While this study focused on non-drug interventions that reduce nursing home admissions, a future analysis will look at similar interventions that reduce or maintain functional decline and challenging behaviors. The researchers are also designing a trial to test the interventions with patients in a healthcare setting.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s drugs hold great promise but still need additional research and improvement. In the meantime, this study demonstrates the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in improving the quality of life for people with dementia and helping them stay safe at home longer. With cost savings of up to $13,000 and reduced nursing home admissions, finding ways to make these interventions available to more families makes sense. Health insurance policies should incentivize providers and health systems to implement non-pharmacological interventions, which have the potential to benefit both the patient and the caregiver.
Comments are closed