Alzheimer’s: non-drug interventions would be both “effective and cost-effective”

If the scientific world is still looking for the drug that will treat Alzheimer’s disease, other avenues of non-drug care are available. Effective and economically profitable methods according to a recent American study.

Four non-drug interventions scrutinized

For this work, the experts focused on four non-pharmacological interventions:

• Maximize autonomy at home by coordinating home care;
• Implement six counseling sessions over four months for caregivers, as well as the possibility of having one-time support and access to weekly support groups;
• Establish a healthcare system that provides people with dementia and their carers with a needs assessment, individual care plans and 24-hour access to a care manager;
• Establish a complementary service that complements adult day care with staff providing face-to-face caregiver support, disease education and care management.

Improved quality of life for patients

To assess the relevance of these non-drug interventions, the scientists each time assessed:

1. Societal costs;
2. The years of life with a preserved quality of life;
3. The cost-effectiveness ratio.

Results: Using a computer simulation model, the scientists demonstrate that the four dementia care interventions saved between $2,800 and $13,000 in social costs, depending on the type of intervention.

In addition, all reduced nursing home admissions and improved quality of life compared to usual care. “Now that we can show that these effective interventions also save money, it makes sense to find ways to make them available to more families.“says Dr. Eric Jutkowitz, associate professor at Brown University’s School of Public Health.”These interventions can be used to help people with dementia starting today!”

Now, researchers now want to evaluate similar interventions that reduce or stabilize functional decline and challenging behaviors in patients.