Eaglestone, Gillian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9860-8679, Stoner, Charlotte ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1536-4347, Pacella, Rosana ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9742-1957 and McCrone, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7001-4502 (2026) Cost-effectiveness of a training intervention for caregivers of people living with dementia: a model for a UK-based economic evaluation. Aging & Mental Health. pp. 1-12. ISSN 1360-7863

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Abstract

Background
Informal caregivers play a vital role in supporting people living with dementia (PLwD) but often experience high levels of stress and limited support. Caregiver training programmes (CTPs) aim to improve caregiver knowledge, coping strategies and resilience, potentially reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and delaying transitions to long-term care. This study evaluated the cost effectiveness of CTPs compared with usual care in the UK.

Methods
A decision tree economic model was developed in Microsoft Excel to simulate outcomes for a hypothetical cohort of community-dwelling PLwD and their caregivers. The model compared CTPs delivered in addition to usual care with usual care alone over 3- and 6-month time horizons, using a health and social care perspective. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated using EQ-5D utility values linked to changes in BPSD. Costs were sourced from published literature, UK national data sets and routinely collected service-use data.

Results
In the 3-month model, CTPs resulted in higher costs and modest QALY gains. In the 6-month model, CTPs were associated with lower costs and greater health benefits, suggesting potential longer-term cost-effectiveness. The intervention was dominant in the 6-month scenario, driven mainly by reduced probability of care home admission. Results were most sensitive to assumptions regarding care home admission risk.

Conclusion
CTPs may represent a cost-effective intervention within UK dementia care, although results remain sensitive to transition probability assumptions.

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1080/13607863.2026.2676648
Keywords:	Dementia; health economics; non-pharmacological therapies; caregiver training; psychosocial
Subjects:	Medicine and health > Clinical medicine > Dementia Medicine and health > Health promotion and public health
Date Deposited:	12 Jun 2026
Dates:	Date Publication status 7 May 2026 Accepted 1 June 2026 Published Online
School, department or research centre:	The Geller Institute of Ageing and Memory School of Medicine and Biosciences
Keywords:	Dementia; health economics; non-pharmacological therapies; caregiver training; psychosocial
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/15040
Sustainable Development Goals:	Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

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