Evaluation of a Telehealth Education Program for Caregivers of Veterans with Dementia: Cost Outcomes

Background and Purpose: This project was designed to evaluate the impact of a Telehealth Education Program (TEP) on outpatient veterans with dementia and their spouse caregivers.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight veterans with moderate to severe dementia and their spousal caregivers were enrolled in two Veteran's Administration Medical Centers and randomly assigned to treatment (TEP) or usual care (UC). Spousal caregivers in the TEP group participated in 10-week, structured telephone groups that included support, education, problem solving and coping skills. Cost data were collected for 6 months prior to baseline, 6 months following completion of the treatment, and 12 months followinConclusions and Implicationsg treatment. Cost data were extracted from Veteran's Administration data bases and included: (1) total outpatient costs, (2) total inpatient hospital costs, (3) total nursing home costs, and (4) total health care costs. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects regression models.

Results: Total health costs were significantly less at six months in the TEP group as compared to the UC group. Short-term cost savings were $2768.19 (F = 3.47, p = 0.032) per person. No significant differences were found in any of the cost sub-categories at 6 months. Also, cost savings were not maintained in the period six to twelve months after the intervention.

Conclusions and Implications: Additional follow-up telephone group sessions may be needed to maintain decreased health care costs among the veteran care recipients over the long-term.