A groundbreaking study led by Queen Mary University of London, in collaboration with UCL, has shown that the NIDUS-Family care package not only improves the quality of life for people with dementia but also offers significant cost savings for the NHS and social care services. The intervention, which focuses on personalized goal-setting to support individuals with dementia and their caregivers, has been found to reduce healthcare costs by nearly 40%.
Approximately 982,000 people in the UK live with dementia, and the financial burden of dementia care is expected to reach £90 billion by 2040. As the need for sustainable care options increases, finding cost-effective ways to help people with dementia live independently at home has become a priority.
The NIDUS-Family program is designed to address the unique needs of people with dementia by helping them and their caregivers focus on practical changes, such as improving sleep, increasing participation in enjoyable activities, and providing caregivers with more time for self-care. The intervention can be delivered via phone, video-call, or in person, either to both the person with dementia and their caregiver or to the caregiver alone.
A randomized controlled trial led by Professor Claudia Cooper at Queen Mary University of London revealed that those who participated in the NIDUS-Family program were more likely to achieve their goals over a year compared to those who received standard care. The intervention was effective whether delivered through video-call, phone, or face-to-face sessions.
The newly published findings in Lancet Healthy Longevity further demonstrate the program’s cost-effectiveness. Participants who received the NIDUS-Family intervention cost the NHS and social care £8,934 less on average over the year compared to those who did not. These savings stem from reduced hospital stays and lower use of state-funded social care, far outweighing the program’s modest £346 annual cost.
Professor Cooper emphasized the potential for NIDUS-Family to be integrated into routine care across the NHS, noting that it provides a much-needed, cost-effective solution for personalized dementia care. Dr. Richard Oakley of Alzheimer’s Society highlighted that, despite dementia affecting nearly one million people in the UK, there are very few therapies offering personalized support, making NIDUS-Family a game-changer.
The study also received praise from senior author Professor Rachael Hunter from UCL, who noted the tangible benefits of the intervention for both patients and families, as well as the potential positive financial impact on the NHS. In the United States, similar programs may be adopted within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new dementia model.
The findings come at a time when the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia has called for improved dementia diagnosis and care services across the UK. The research suggests that personalized, post-diagnostic support, as recommended in national guidelines, could significantly enhance the quality of care for people living with dementia. With the majority of people over 65 with dementia living in their own homes, solutions like NIDUS-Family offer a promising alternative to the increasing pressure on care homes.
As the population ages and dementia cases rise, innovative, evidence-based interventions like NIDUS-Family could become essential to both enhancing quality of life for those affected and alleviating the financial strain on healthcare systems.
Related topic:
MYÖTE Model Boosts Mental Health Work Recovery
Depression Linked to Faster Development of Physical Health Issues
New Antibody Method Offers Hope for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Treatment
