The economic impact of dementia – Module 4: Impact of early diagnosis and treatment (16 September 2024)

Summary

This report, commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society from Carnall Farrar, presents the outcomes of a study seeking to quantify the economic burden of dementia. This focuses on looking at how earlier diagnosis and treatment could delay need for more expensive care for some people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Content

Key points from this report include:

• Currently, NHS England reports that 64.8% of people aged 65 and over in England with dementia are formally diagnosed, slightly below the 66.7% target. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, estimated diagnosis rates are 64%, 53.9%, and 62%, respectively.
• Dementia diagnosis can happen for people while they are in care homes, likely at a more advanced stage of dementia. While still valuable, at this stage there is less opportunity for intervention and improving the course of the disease after diagnosis.
• For older adults, prevention and treatment should aim to delay the onset of severe symptoms, compressing their period of ill health to later in life. This approach would reduce the time during which they require intensive care, improving their quality of life.
• For some people with dementia, available treatments can delay the progression of symptoms and the need for nursing home care. These treatments not only enhance quality of life and independence but also offer potential cost savings by delaying the expensive, intensive care required for the more severe stages of dementia.
• To achieve these benefits, early and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Modelling suggests savings of £8,800 to £44,900 per person where nursing home admissions can be delayed through effective management and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
• There may be other benefits including decreased need for unpaid care and healthcare services which are difficult to quantify with the current level of evidence. The modelling also does not include the effect of other effective interventions such as memantine and cognitive stimulation therapy. Potential savings could therefore be higher than those modelled.
• This modelling relies on the critical assumption that treatment does not impact the survival time. Although there are other benefits, the cost savings do not occur if people live longer and therefore require an overall longer period of care.
• More long-term studies and real-world evidence are needed to fully understand the impact of available treatments. This research is essential to improve outcomes for those affected by dementia and realise the potential benefits of early diagnosis and intervention.