CHANGE IN DEMENTIA FAMILY CAREGIVERS’ WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR A NONPHARMACOLOGIC INTERVENTION

Abstract

Family caregivers provide a majority of care for persons with dementia (PwD); however, little is known about caregiver’s willingness to pay (WTP) for an intervention to help them manage dementia symptoms. To fill this gap, caregiver/PwD dyads (n=223) were recruited to participate in a randomized trial evaluating tailored activities to minimize behavioral symptoms and functional decline. At baseline and 6-months caregivers were asked their WTP per session for the 8-session 3-month program compared to caregiver education/support only. At baseline, treatment caregivers were WTP $26.20, which was $11.50 (95%CI:-$12.70, -$10.3) less per session compared to control group caregivers WTP $37.30. At 6-months, treatment caregivers were WTP $22.90 and control caregivers $27.30. From baseline to 6-months, a change in WTP was $7.00 (95%CI:$5.80, $8.30) greater than the change in WTP for control group caregivers. Caregivers WTP slightly decreases over time in both groups but decrease is less for TAP following program participation.