Programme, die Pflegekräfte von Patienten mit Demenz unterstützen, könnten erhebliche Vorteile zu einem Bruchteil des Preises eines Alzheimer-Medikaments bringen | Eine Computersimulation, die auf früheren Studiendaten basiert, legt nahe, dass eine kooperative und proaktive Pflege den Patienten zu Hause 0,34 Jahre mehr Zeit verschaffen kann

>Programs that support caregivers of patients with dementia could bring substantial benefits at a fraction of the price of an Alzheimer’s drug.

>A computer simulation guided by patient data from prior studies found that supportive care [reduced health care costs and scored higher than the drug intervention](https://doi.org/10.1002/bsa3.70054) on a common measure of treatment value, researchers report February 5 in *Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Behavior & Socioeconomics of Aging*. Though not based on direct patient observations, the conclusions highlight the impact of improving care coordination as [dementia cases rise](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dementia-baby-boomers-increase-2060).

>[Disease-slowing Alzheimer’s drugs](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-alzheimers-drug-market-brain) entered the market in the last few years. But dementia specialists are scarce, leaving care for the estimated 6.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia largely to time- and resource-strapped primary care doctors.

>To help families navigate this fragmented health care system, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco pair caregivers with individuals who provide dementia-related support and information. Through a decade-old Medicare-covered program, these care navigators phone families monthly and answer questions related to medications, sleep or behavior as needed. They also connect caregivers with specialists including clinicians, nurses, pharmacists and social workers. 

[Read more here](https://www.sciencenews.org/article/alzheimers-patient-caregiver-drug-cost) and the [research article here. ](https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bsa3.70054)