Monetary cost of family caregiving for people with dementia in Singapore

This study quantified the monetary cost of family caregiving for 51 patients with different severity of dementia. The mean annual informal cost of care was higher (M = SG$44,530.55, SD = SG$31,354.82) compared to the mean annual formal cost of care (M = SG$25,654.11, SD = SG$10,016.48). Costs were found to increase with severity of dementia (Severe: SG$47,251.30; Moderate: SG$38,607.84; Mild: SG$13,847.68). For each point increase in CMMSE scores, the informal cost lowered by SG$1,173.94. There was a significant negative correlation of cost and cognitive impairment but not functional impairment. The informal cost of care did not vary much with or without the use of day care centres, however the costs for those who did not have domestic helpers (DHs) was more than twice the costs for those with DHs. Results from this study show there were cost savings in care of people with dementia with DHs.