Monetary cost of family caregiving for people with dementia in Singapore

This study quantified the monetary cost of family caregiving for 51 patients with different severity of dementia. The mean annual informal cost of care was higher (M = SG$44,530.55, SD = SG$31,354.82) compared to the mean annual formal cost of care (M = SG$25,654.11, SD = SG$10,016.48). Costs were found to increase with severity of dementia (Severe: SG$47,251.30; Moderate: SG$38,607.84; Mild: SG $13,847.68). For each point increase in CMMSE scores, the informal cost lowered by SG$1,173.94. There was a significant negative correlation of cost and cognitive impairment but not functional impairment. The informal cost of care did not vary much with or without the use of day care centres, however the costs for those who did not have domestic helpers (DHs) was more than twice the costs for those with DHs. Results from this study show there were cost savings in care of people with dementia with DHs

Monetary cost of family caregiving for people with dementia in Singapore

This study quantified the monetary cost of family caregiving for 51 patients with different severity of dementia. The mean annual informal cost of care was higher (M = SG$44,530.55, SD = SG$31,354.82) compared to the mean annual formal cost of care (M = SG$25,654.11, SD = SG$10,016.48). Costs were found to increase with severity of dementia (Severe: SG$47,251.30; Moderate: SG$38,607.84; Mild: SG$13,847.68). For each point increase in CMMSE scores, the informal cost lowered by SG$1,173.94. There was a significant negative correlation of cost and cognitive impairment but not functional impairment. The informal cost of care did not vary much with or without the use of day care centres, however the costs for those who did not have domestic helpers (DHs) was more than twice the costs for those with DHs. Results from this study show there were cost savings in care of people with dementia with DHs

Economic burden of multimorbidity among older adults: impact on healthcare and societal costs

BACKGROUND: Multimorbidity is not uncommon and the associated impact it places on healthcare utilisation and societal costs is of increased concern. The aim of the current study was to estimate the economic burden of multimorbidity among older adults in Singapore by investigating its association with the healthcare and societal resource use and cost. METHODS: The Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study was a single phase, cross sectional survey among a nationally representative sample of Singapore residents (N = 2565) aged 60 years and above. Multimorbidity was defined in this study as having two or more chronic conditions, from a list of 10 conditions. Care was classified into healthcare which included direct medical care, intermediate and long-term care, indirect care, and social care, provided by paid caregivers and family members or friends. Costs were calculated from the societal perspective, including healthcare and social care costs, by multiplying each service unit with the relevant unit cost. Generalized linear models were used to investigate the relationship between total annual costs and various socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 51.5 %. Multimorbid respondents utilised more healthcare and social care resources than those with one or no chronic conditions. The total societal cost of multimorbidity equated to SGD$15,148 per person, annually, while for those with one or no chronic conditions the total annual societal costs per person were SGD$5,610 and SGD$2,806, respectively. Each additional chronic condition was associated with increased healthcare (SGD$2,265) and social care costs (SGD$3,177). Older age (i.e. 75–84 years old, and especially over 85 years), Indian ethnicity and being retired were significantly associated with higher total costs from the societal perspective, while older age (75 years and above) and ‘Other’ ethnicity were significantly associated with higher total healthcare costs. CONCLUSION: Multimorbidity was associated with substantially higher healthcare utilisation and social care costs among older adults in Singapore. With the prevalence of multimorbidity increasing, especially as the population ages, we need healthcare systems that are evolving to address the emerging challenges associated with multimorbidity and the respective healthcare and societal costs

The impact of having foreign domestic workers on informal caregivers of persons with dementia: Findings from a multi-method research in Singapore

Singapore Ministry of Health’s National Medical Research Counci

Staging dementia based on caregiver reported patient symptoms: Implications from a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND:Tailoring interventions to the needs of caregivers is an important feature of successful caregiver support programs. To improve cost-effectiveness, group tailoring based on the stage of dementia could be a good alternative. However, existing staging strategies mostly depend on trained professionals. OBJECTIVE:This study aims to stage dementia based on caregiver reported symptoms of persons with dementia. METHODS:Latent class analysis was used. The classes derived were then mapped with disease duration to define the stages. Logistic regression with receiver operating characteristic curve was used to generate the optimal cut-offs. RESULTS:Latent class analysis suggested a 4-class solution, these four classes were named as early (25.9%), mild (25.2%), moderate (16.7%) and severe stage (32.3%). The stages based on the cut-offs generated achieved an overall accuracy of 90.8% compared to stages derived from latent class analysis. CONCLUSION:The current study confirmed that caregiver reported patient symptoms could be used to classify persons with dementia into different stages. The new staging strategy is a good complement of existing dementia clinical assessment tools in terms of better supporting informal caregivers