The Hidden Cost of Having Alzheimer's

Center CRE Alzheimer of Salamanca. JULIÁN ROJAS

It has no cure or vaccine; and the experts already call it the epidemic of the 21st century . Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease that causes 80% of cases of dementia. Experts estimate that 46 million people suffer dementia in the world and, with the progressive aging of the population, predict that in 2050 will be 131 million.However, in spite of the foreseeable rise of Alzheimer's disease, the only thing that is available to treat these patients are symptomatic treatments with discrete results. The loss of autonomy is inevitable and, consequently, the need for health and care resources is increasing, so the economic and emotional costs are very high. According to the Dementia Report of the Spanish Society of Neurology, the cost of attending a patient with Alzheimer's disease ranges from 27,000 to 37,000 euros per year.
Pilar Valls, 73, takes care of her husband Jose Maria, 75, since he was detected alzhemer, three years ago. The diagnosis only confirmed something they already saw coming. "He was not listening," recalls the old woman, who takes care of her husband with little help. Despite the deteriorating cognitive, which is becoming more acute every day, José María is still autonomous, and can shower or walk alone in the neighborhood. "What happens is that he asks you five times in 10 minutes for the same thing and you have to explain it to him." He, who is aware of the disease, apologizes when he forgets something. "Oh, this memory," he says from time to time. 

"It is a very expensive disease, especially from the emotional point of view," says Dr. Alberto Villarejo, member of the Group of Conduct and Dementia of the Spanish Society of Neurology and author of the report he has done for the Brain Foundation. The neurologist has performed a literature review of other published studies to update the costs of attending an Alzheimer's patient, from pharmacological treatment to the hours that a caregiver requires.

The study determines the direct economic costs - health care expenditure on pharmaceuticals and medical care or income in a residence - and indirect costs, ie those that can not be reimbursed, such as time spent on the patient or health related expenses of the burden of caring for the patient. According to the report, in 2010 the cost of dementia in Spain exceeded 16,000 million euros: "This figure [29,389 euros per person] placed dementia at the head of the expenditure of brain diseases in global spending and second place , behind multiple sclerosis, in expenditure per person. "

87% of alzheimer's costs are borne by the patients' families

The cognitive deterioration of the patient translates, in the long run, into more urgency visits and long hospital stays. All this implies more direct health costs. Specifically, says the study, the health expenditure of a patient with Alzheimer's is 34% higher than that of an individual of his age without the disease. "A sick person can take, on average, about five drugs a day, two or three more than a healthy person of comparable age," Villarejo said. 

The report points out that 87% of the direct and indirect costs attributed to an Alzheimer's patient are taken care of, not without difficulties, by their families, who are usually responsible for their care. Pilar has already turned to social services to apply for aid to pay for the drugs. "They are very expensive," he says, "and a pension gives for what it gives".

The cost of a caregiver

The role of caregivers, measured in indirect costs, is, according to Villarejo, "the most difficult to estimate". For them, for example, the clock does not exist. "If we translate it into hours, we can be talking about up to 73 hours a week dedicated exclusively to the advanced patient, which in euros could amount to 47,292 euros per year"; the report said. But the lack of schedules also takes its toll on the caregiver, who suffers an overload of responsibility and often develops psychological and physical ailments derived from the care of the patient.

"The emotional and personal cost is very high," said Nina Gramunt, a neuropsychologist at the Pasqual Maragall Foundation and coordinator of the therapeutic groups offered by the organization. "It has a lot of psychological impact and the caregivers suffer from higher rates of anxiety and depression. to meet the needs of family members.

"It's a very expensive disease, especially from an emotional point of view"

Pilar is waiting for Jose Maria all day. "He has a lot of dependence on me and I look to be with him all day. I do not see myself free to go in and out," he says. Among the pills taken by José María there is an antidepressant, which has also been prescribed to her. "They have given it to me because, although I see the glass always half full, there are times when you look a little rushed," he admits.

Experts insist that, given the anticipated population reach of the disease, research into alzheimer's should be a "priority." "We must support dementia, monitor and prevent vascular risk factors and develop the law of dependence," warns Villarejo. According to the study, based on IMSERSO data, by 2020, it is expected that there will be 246,412 people over 65 in a situation of great dependence, almost 90% of them due to dementia.

by: el pais