Weinberger M, Gold D T, Divine G W, Cowper P A, Hodgson L G, Schreiner P J, George L K
Center for Health Services Research, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, NC.
Am J Public Health. 1993 Mar;83(3):338-41. doi: 10.2105/ajph.83.3.338.
Given the national interest in progressive dementia, we estimated expenditures incurred in caring for dementia patients who live at home.
Primary caregivers of 264 patients from a university-based memory disorders clinic were interviewed at baseline and asked to keep service use diaries for 6 months; 141 caregivers who returned the diaries are the focus of this report. We examined both formal and informal services (distinguished by whether money was exchanged) and associated expenditures.
Neither caregivers returning diaries nor their patients differed at baseline from those not returning diaries and their patients. Expenditures incurred over 6 months were extensive for both formal ($6986) and informal ($786) services. Out-of-pocket expenditures were high (e.g., in-home companion or sitter, adult day care, visiting nurse). Multivariable analyses indicated that patients with more severe symptoms of dementia and families with higher incomes reported significantly higher expenditures.
The expense of caring for patients with progressive dementia living at home may be higher than previously estimated and frequently involves expenses paid directly by patients and their families.
鉴于国家对进行性痴呆的关注，我们估算了在家中照料痴呆患者的费用。
对来自一家大学记忆障碍诊所的264名患者的主要照料者在基线时进行访谈，并要求他们记录6个月的服务使用情况；本报告聚焦于141名返还日记的照料者。我们研究了正式和非正式服务（以是否涉及金钱交易区分）及其相关费用。
返还日记的照料者及其患者在基线时与未返还日记的照料者及其患者并无差异。6个月期间正式服务（6986美元）和非正式服务（786美元）的费用都很高。自付费用很高（例如，居家陪伴或保姆、成人日间护理、访视护士）。多变量分析表明，痴呆症状更严重的患者和收入较高的家庭报告的费用显著更高。
在家中照料进行性痴呆患者的费用可能高于先前估计，且常常涉及患者及其家庭直接支付的费用。
