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New research from Queen Mary University of London, in collaboration with UCL, highlights the potential of NIDUS-Family, a remotely-delivered dementia care program, in reducing the cost of care for people with dementia. The innovative package not only provides personalized support to help individuals with dementia live well at home but also offers significant savings for the National Health Service (NHS) and social care systems.
Approximately 982,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, with the costs of care projected to rise to £90 billion by 2040. As the need for care increases, finding sustainable and cost-effective ways to support individuals at home becomes paramount. Research has demonstrated that NIDUS-Family can provide these solutions.
NIDUS-Family is a care and support package developed by researchers at Queen Mary University of London. The program is centered around setting practical, personalized goals such as enhancing sleep, increasing engagement in enjoyable activities, and providing caregivers with time to focus on their own well-being. The intervention can be delivered through phone, video calls, or in-person sessions, benefiting both people with dementia and their family caregivers.
In a randomized controlled trial led by Professor Claudia Cooper, those who participated in the NIDUS-Family intervention were more likely to achieve their personalized goals compared to individuals who received standard care. This improvement was consistent regardless of whether the sessions were delivered by phone, video, or in-person.
The study, published in Lancet Healthy Longevity, also demonstrated that NIDUS-Family was a cost-effective intervention. Over the course of a year, participants in the intervention group incurred £8,934 less in NHS and social care costs compared to those receiving standard care. The lower costs were attributed to fewer hospitalizations and reduced reliance on state-funded social care. This cost-saving far outweighed the modest £346 annual cost of the intervention.
Professor Claudia Cooper emphasized the potential of NIDUS-Family to revolutionize dementia care across the NHS. “This therapy has the potential to support consistent, evidence-based, personalized dementia care,” she said. “Given its cost-effectiveness and positive impact on both patients and caregivers, it should be more widely available within routine care.”
Dr. Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, praised the program’s accessibility and affordability. “Therapies for dementia are often expensive and difficult to access, especially in remote areas,” he explained. “NIDUS-Family is a game-changer, offering tailored support at a fraction of the cost of traditional therapies.”
The findings also resonate with recommendations from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry on dementia, which calls for equitable access to high-quality post-diagnostic support across England. Currently, two-thirds of people with dementia over the age of 65 live in their own homes, yet many face challenges such as unmet needs, safety risks, and caregiver burden—issues that can often lead to an unnecessary move to a care home.
The study’s authors hope that NIDUS-Family can become an integral part of dementia care services globally, including in the U.S., where the program could inform the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new dementia care model.
Disclaimer: The findings discussed are based on research published in Lancet Healthy Longevity. Individual results may vary, and the implementation of the NIDUS-Family intervention may not be suitable for all patients. It is recommended that people with dementia consult their healthcare providers before adopting new care strategies.
