Demented elderly people living at home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:: Evaluation of expenditure on care

Background: The present study investigates family expenditure relating to caring for elderly people with dementia. The study was exploratory, descriptive, and cross-sectional. Methods: The expenditure of 41 families responsible for caring for elderly people with dementia was analyzed. The subjects of the study comprised the family unit of which the elderly demented patient was a part of. A questionnaire was applied to a group of 41 patients and their accompanying family members. These patients were being followed up at the Neurogeriatrics Outpatient Clinic of the Open University for the Third Age, State University of Rio de Janeiro. Results: The findings of the study suggest that caring for for elderly people with dementia has a considerable impact, with an average commitment of 66% of family income. Expenditure may reach 75% of family income for patients in the early stages of the disease, 62% in the advanced stages and approximately 80% when other chronic diseases are associated with the dementia. Conclusions: From a public health perspective, these findings reiterate the conclusions from previous studies indicating that the increased expenditure on care is a source of stress on the physical and mental health of caregivers. That is, the impact of the expenditure can be considered an indicator of the degree of stress and overload, particularly the emotional burden that so frequently accompanies caregivers' responsibilities.