COSTS OF DEMENTIA CARE AND EARLY-STAGE PREVENTIVE NURSING: A COMPARATIVE BIG DATA STUDY IN OSAKA

Abstract

Abstract Data show a substantial increase in the costs of dementia care nationally and globally. We assessed the factors increasing financial pressure, and found an association between the costs and the severity of dementia. We suggest that early diagnosis and preventive nursing care can reduce the deterioration associated with dementia, and therefore the overall costs of dementia care. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the costs of dementia care and early-stage preventive nursing care in a sample of people with dementia aged 65 to 85 years, using the Medical Care Insurance and Osaka Prefecture Long-Term Care Insurance Database (N = 17973). We found that early care might have a significant effect on formal care costs in the early period of dementia but did not influence the medical care costs of dementia. During the first 5 years, the long-term care costs of people with dementia with an initial care level of Support 1/2 (one type of care level of Japanese long-term care insurance system, and the participants receive preventive services) were $4,389, while people with an initial care level of Care 1/2 (the other type of care level, and the participants receive nursing services) were $12,333. About 20% of people who received preventive care recovered, suggesting that preventive nursing care can restore the ability of people with early-stage dementia. This might be the reason for the reduction in long-term care costs. This research provides a basis for supporting preventive nursing care and extending healthy lifespans.