Dementia: the cost of care for behaviourally disturbed patients living in the community.

Abstract

To determine the cost of care of people with dementia and behavioural disturbances living in the community, which is currently unknown. This is a study of 12 randomly selected subjects attending a continuing care dementia day facility for people with behavioural disturbances. Hours of care received from different sources were recorded and costed. The total mean direct costs to the public services was pound400 per person per week. Caregiver's time costed at professional rates were pound1208 per person per week. Unpaid caregivers supported by publicly funded agencies provide a less expensive service compared to specialised institutional care.