Why Health Plans Should Invest in Dementia Caregiver Support Programs

Dementia is already a high-cost diagnosis for health plans: Medicare costs for people with dementia are about 3 times higher than for those without. For Medicaid, average spend per person with dementia is 22 times higher. And with 14 million projected dementia patients in the U.S. by 2060, those costs will only increase.

Whether they know it or not, health plans depend on family caregivers to keep members with dementia healthier and their costs lower. More than 90% of people 65 and older living in the community with Alzheimer’s disease rely on the help of family caregivers.

But caregiver health, well-being and resilience are paramount to keeping the care recipient out of high-cost sites of care. People with dementia whose caregivers have depression have 73% higher rates of ED use over 6 months compared to peers whose caregivers did not have depression. And ED visits were 23% higher among patients with caregivers who scored high for fatigue or low on their own health status.

That’s why Medicare Advantage, Dual Eligible Special Needs and Long-Term Services and Supports plans are working with Carallel to support dementia caregivers via a specialized caregiver engagement program. The program helps plans identify, engage and empower caregivers of members with dementia to ensure the lowest acuity, highest-dignity care.

Results from the dementia program show the real impact it has for health plans, their members, and dementia caregivers:

• 31.5% self-reported reduction in caregiver burden after 60 days

80% of participating caregivers now have an Advance Care Plan in place or in progress for their loved one.

70% of participating caregivers reported having their self-care needs addressed  

Contact us today to learn how to partner to improve caregiver and member/patient experience.

More on Dementia Caregiving
The ‘Invisible Second Patient’: Understanding the Role of Dementia Caregivers

How to Support Caregivers Through the 4 Stages of Dementia Caregiving

Caregiver Diaries: Spousal Caregiving and Dementia

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Team Supporting Dementia Caregivers