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Dementia care costs and outcomes: a systematic review

Dementia care costs and outcomes: a systematic review
Knapp M, Iemmi V, Romeo R International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28:, 551-556. 2013


Project ID (Internal) 112
Project Status completed
Full Reference (text) Knapp M, Iemmi V, Romeo R (2013) Dementia care costs and outcomes: a systematic review. International journal of geriatric psychiatry. 28:551-561. [The abstract can be accessed here]
Full Reference (URL) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22887331
Summary / Abstract

Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
We reviewed evidence on the cost-effectiveness of prevention, care and treatment strategies in relation to dementia.

METHODS:
We performed a systematic review of available literature on economic evaluations of dementia care, searching key databases and websites in medicine, social care and economics. Literature reviews were privileged, and other study designs were included only to fill gaps in the evidence base. Narrative analysis was used to synthesise the results.

RESULTS:
We identified 56 literature reviews and 29 single studies offering economic evidence on dementia care. There is more cost-effectiveness evidence on pharmacological therapies than other interventions. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for mild-to-moderate disease and memantine for moderate-to-severe disease were found to be cost-effective. Regarding non-pharmacological treatments, cognitive stimulation therapy, tailored activity programme and occupational therapy were found to be more cost-effective than usual care. There was some evidence to suggest that respite care in day settings and psychosocial interventions for carers could be cost-effective. Coordinated care management and personal budgets held by carers have also demonstrated cost-effectiveness in some studies.

CONCLUSION:
Five barriers to achieving better value for money in dementia care were identified: the scarcity and low methodological quality of available studies, the difficulty of generalising from available evidence, the narrowness of cost measures, a reluctance to implement evidence and the poor coordination of health and social care provision and financing.

Publication Title Dementia care costs and outcomes: a systematic review
Author(s) Knapp M, Iemmi V, Romeo R
Publication Details International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28:, 551-556.
Publication Year / End of Project 2013
Last Accessed 03/01/2019 12:00 am

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