A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Informal and formal care: Substitutes or complements in care for people with dementia? Empirical evidence for 8 European countries
Authors: Bremer P, Challis D, Hallberg IR, Leino-Kilpi H, Saks K, Vellas B, Zwakhalen SMG, Sauerland D
Publisher: ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Health Policy
Journal name in source: HEALTH POLICY
Journal acronym: HEALTH POLICY
Volume: 121
Issue: 6
First page : 613
Last page: 622
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0168-8510
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2017.03.013
Abstract
Background: In order to contain public health care spending, European countries attempt to promote informal caregiving. However, such a cost reducing strategy will only be successful if informal caregiving is a substitute for formal health care services. We therefore analyze the effect of informal caregiving for people with dementia on the use of several formal health care services.Study Design: The empirical analysis is based on primary data generated by the EU-project 'RightTimePlaceCare' which is conducted in 8 European countries. 1223 people with dementia receiving informal care at home were included in the study.Methods: Using a regression framework we analyze the relationship between informal care and three different formal health care services: the receipt of professional home care, the number of nurse visits and the number of outpatient visits.Results: The relationship between formal and informal care depends on the specific type of formal care analyzed. For example, a higher amount of informal caregiving goes along with a lower demand for home care services and nurse visits but a higher number of outpatient visits.Conclusion: Increased informal caregiving effectively reduces public health care spending by reducing the amount of formal home care services. However, these effects differ between countries.
Background: In order to contain public health care spending, European countries attempt to promote informal caregiving. However, such a cost reducing strategy will only be successful if informal caregiving is a substitute for formal health care services. We therefore analyze the effect of informal caregiving for people with dementia on the use of several formal health care services.Study Design: The empirical analysis is based on primary data generated by the EU-project 'RightTimePlaceCare' which is conducted in 8 European countries. 1223 people with dementia receiving informal care at home were included in the study.Methods: Using a regression framework we analyze the relationship between informal care and three different formal health care services: the receipt of professional home care, the number of nurse visits and the number of outpatient visits.Results: The relationship between formal and informal care depends on the specific type of formal care analyzed. For example, a higher amount of informal caregiving goes along with a lower demand for home care services and nurse visits but a higher number of outpatient visits.Conclusion: Increased informal caregiving effectively reduces public health care spending by reducing the amount of formal home care services. However, these effects differ between countries.
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