Analyzing the Costs of Informal Care for Persons with Dementia in Spain

Abstract

The objective of this article is to estimate the time and associated costs of informal caregiving for the elderly with different levels of dementia. In a cross-sectional observational study with 242 subjects, we use the Resident Assessment Instrument Home Care (RAI-HC) to compile information on socio-demographic variables, informal care, comorbidities, hearing and vision function, use of formal support services, use of locomotion aids, and dementia. We construct a multivariable regression model to determine the cost of informal care due dementia. Findings show a positive association of dementia severity and costs of informal care.