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Economic Evaluation of A Support Program for Caregivers of Demented Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 March 2009

Michael F. Drummond
Affiliation:
University of York
E. Ann Mohide
Affiliation:
McMaster University
Michelle Tew
Affiliation:
McMaster University
David L. Streiner
Affiliation:
McMaster University
Dorothy M. Pringle
Affiliation:
University of Toronto
J. Raymond Gilbert
Affiliation:
McMaster University

Abstract

An economic evaluation was undertaken concurrently with a randomized trial comparing a Caregiver Support Program (CSP) with existing conventional community nursing care for those caring for elderly relatives at home. The differences in resource consumption were compared with changes in caregiver quality of life, as measured by the Caregiver Quality of Life Instrument (CQLI). A 20% difference from baseline in the CQLI favored the experimental (CSP) group, although this did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. A comparison of improvement in quality of life with costs implies an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained of Canadian $20,000 for the CSP, which compares favorably with other health care interventions. Further, larger studies are required to confirm this result.

Type
General Essays
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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