Evaluating Community-Based Programs for Dementia Caregivers: The Cost Implications of Adult Day Services

This study analyzes the short- (3 months) and long-term (1 year) cost implications of adult day care, a community-based program that has gained attention for its positive impact on dementia caregivers. A variety of costs (e.g., adult day services, formal service use, informal sources of care, employ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied gerontology 2003-03, Vol.22 (1), p.118-133
Main Authors: Gaugler, Joseph E., Zarit, Steven H., Townsend, Aloen, Parris Stephens, Mary-Ann, Greene, Rick
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult Care Services
Adult day care
Alzheimer's Disease
Biological and medical sciences
Caregiver Burden
Caregivers
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Dementia
Depression (Psychology)
Health Care Costs
Health Care Utilization
Medical sciences
Neurology
New Jersey
Prevention and actions
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Respite Care
Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...)
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Summary:This study analyzes the short- (3 months) and long-term (1 year) cost implications of adult day care, a community-based program that has gained attention for its positive impact on dementia caregivers. A variety of costs (e.g., adult day services, formal service use, informal sources of care, employment changes) were estimated for caregivers (n = 367 at 3 months; n = 201 at 1 year). Results found that the daily costs to reduce caregivers' role overload and depression decreased with adult day service utilization over a 1-year period. The findings emphasize that adult day programs are most effective for dementia caregivers who use these services consistently and for longer periods of time. Moreover, practitioners must develop methods to encourage early utilization of adult day services during the caregiving career to increase the range of benefits.
ISSN:0733-4648
1552-4523
DOI:10.1177/0733464802250049