Health Care Use Among Spouse Caregivers of Older Adults Living with Dementia
Author Information
Author(s): Lei Lianlian, Langa Kenneth, Norton Edward, Levy Helen, Kim Hyungjin Myra, Blow Frederic, Maust Donovan
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
How caregiving is associated with caregivers’ health care use when the care recipient is living with dementia.
Conclusion
Spouses who do not provide caregiving hours have the highest health care costs and use.
Supporting Evidence
- Forty-three percent of spouses did not provide care.
- The average monthly caregiving hours were 27, 150, and 430 for the first, second, and third tertiles, respectively.
- Spouses not providing help had higher total annual Medicare costs.
Takeaway
This study found that spouses of people with dementia who don't help with caregiving end up using more health care and costing more money.
Methodology
The study used data from the Health and Retirement Study linked with Medicare claims to analyze health care use among spouse caregivers.
Limitations
It is unclear whether spouses do not need care or if they cannot provide caregiving due to their own health issues.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling dyads aged ≥65 years, with one member having dementia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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