Title:Missing Uniform Costs Classification for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment and Care
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 14
Author(s):Petra Maresova and Kamil Kuca*
Affiliation:Department of Economy, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Faculty of Informatics and Management, Centre of Basic and Applied Research, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove
Keywords:Cost classification, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, direct costs, indirect costs, aging.
Abstract:Background: The importance of the issue of the economic burden of treatment and care for people
with dementia is crucial in the developed countries. The European Union and other developed countries are
trying to improve the course of aging population which leads to rising costs. Their uniform registration is also
one of the objectives of the developed countries’ strategic plans to fight dementia. The individual steps of the
plans in practical terms so far are mainly directed to the early diagnosis of diseases, records of the associated
data are so far in the background.
Aim: The aim of this paper is to specify a set of costs that should be constantly monitored at the national level
within dementia.
Methods: The main method is a literature review focused on Alzheimer's disease. The searched keywords
were "Alzheimer's disease" and "costs" incurred after 2010. The studies will specify the monitored costs and
determine their minimal penetration, which will then form the basis for recommendations for the monitored
group of costs on a national level.
Results: Results of the analysis indicate that the following main cost groups are monitored: medical direct
costs (inpatient care, outpatient treatment, medication), non-medical direct costs (day care centres, community
health services, respite care, accommodation costs for patients) and indirect costs (time that the carers dedicate
to the patient). The issue of different naming and groups of costs calls for a common strategy in this area and
defining the minimum items that should be monitored.
