Dementia Family Caregiver’s Willingness to Pay for an In-home Program to Reduce Behavioral Symptoms and Caregiver Stress

Abstract

Objectives:

To determine whether family caregivers of persons with dementia (PwD) are willing to pay (WTP) for an in-home intervention that provides strategies to manage behavioral symptoms and caregiver stress and to identify predictors of WTP.

Methods:

During baseline interviews of a randomized trial, caregivers were asked prior to treatment assignment how much they were WTP per session for an 8-session program over 3 months. We stratified the sample into those who refused to provide a WTP, those WTP $0, and those WTP>$0. We used a two-part model, controlling for demographic characteristics, to predict adjusted mean WTP and to examine associations between WTP, clinical features (cognition, function, behavioral symptoms) and time spent providing PwD assistance with daily activities. First, we used logistic regression to model the probability a caregiver was WTP>$0. Second, we used a generalized linear model (log link and Gamma distribution) to estimate the amount caregivers were WTP conditional on WTP>$0.

Results:

Of 250 dyads enrolled, 226 (90%) had complete data and were included in our analyses. Of 226, 26 (11 %) refused to provide a WTP value, 72 (32%) were WTP $0, and 128 (57%) were WTP>$0. In the combined model, mean adjusted WTP was $36.00 (95% CI: $26.72, $45.27) per session. Clinical features were not significantly associated with WTP. One-additional hour providing PwD assistance was associated with a $1.64 (95% CI: $0.23, $3.04) increase in WTP per session.

Conclusion:

As caregivers spend more time assisting with daily activities, they are WTP more for a supportive program.

Clinical Trial Registration Number:

NCT01892579