Study: Costs Rise as Alzheimer Symptoms Worsen

Caregiver and patient healthcare costs rise dramatically as the symptoms of patients with Alzheimer's disease worsen, according to researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles.

For a six-month period, costs can rise to more than $30,000 per patient, depending upon the severity of their symptoms, according to the study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Costs for the average high-functioning patient were $20,000 during the six-month study period, compared with $35,000 for a patient with severe dementia.

"As Alzheimer's disease progresses, the costs to society in terms of direct healthcare costs and loss of productivity of caregivers are astronomical," said Dr. Gary Small, director of the UCLA Center on Aging, and lead investigator.

During the study, caregivers missed 2.6 days of work to care for a patient with mild symptoms, compared with 8.7 days for a patient with severe symptoms. Hospitalizations increased from 1.8 to 3.4 days, depending on the severity of the patient's symptoms.

"The study provides an impetus for earlier treatment to help keep Alzheimer's disease at a less-severe stage for longer," said Small. Researchers surveyed 1,700 non-institutionalized patients and their caregivers throughout the United States.

Patients were all at different stages of Alzheimer's disease. Severity of their disease was measured using a scale of symptom frequency, such as prevalence of memory loss and depression. Activity and physical function were also measured, such as the patient's ability to get dressed, cook and shop.

The costs of care averaged $29,209 per patient over the six-month study period. Direct costs of care averaged $3,129 and included hospital stays, doctor visits and emergency room visits. Caregiver costs averaged $26,080 and included days of work missed and hours providing care for the patient.

"Over $100 billion is spent annually on Alzheimer's disease, making it the third most costly disease in the United States after heart disease and cancer," said Dr. Howard Fillit, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Aging in New York City. "At least half of these costs are related to caregiving."

Other sources: UCLA