475 Financial Toxicity in Dementia Caregiving

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Financial toxicity describes the adverse effects of medical expenses on financial security and health related quality of life. Though dementia caregiving carries serious costs, financial toxicity has not been studied in this context. Here we assess the prevalence of financial toxicity in dementia caregiving and its sociodemographic correlates. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We utilized the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST)— 12-item questionnaire validated to quantify financial toxicity in patients and their caregivers— to conduct a nationally representative survey of 317 US dementia caregivers, oversampling non-Hispanic Black (n = 75) and Hispanic (n = 61) caregivers. Participants were required to be currently providing unpaid care to someone 50 years or older with dementia. Financial toxicity was defined as COST 0 & RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: COST scores ranged between 0 and 44, with a survey-weighted mean of 24.57 and standard deviation of 9.8. Weighted analysis revealed 52.7% of American dementia caregivers experience some degree of financial toxicity. Of those who experience financial toxicity, 73.1% are classified as mild, 25.7% as moderate, and 1.2% as severe. Financial toxicity was identified in 69.5% of non-Hispanic Black, 54.1% of Hispanic, and 42.3% of non-Hispanic White caregivers, with non-Hispanic Black caregivers significantly more likely to experience financial toxicity compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts (p = 0.017). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Most US dementia caregivers experience financial toxicity, though prevalence varies significantly by caregiver race. Discerning the pervasiveness of financial toxicity in this population and significant correlates will inform the development and expedient delivery of resources for patients and families.