Eaglestone, Gillian ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9860-8679, Stoner, Charlotte R. 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 and Mental Health. pp. 1-12. ISSN 1360-7863 (Print), 1364-6915 (Online) (doi:10.1080/13607863.2026.2676648)

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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
Additional Information:	This paper presents independent research undertaken as part of a funded Vice Chancellor’s PhD scholarship in the Centre for Mental Health in the Institute for Lifecourse Development at the University of Greenwich. This research was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey, Sussex. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	dementia, health economics, non-pharmacological therapies, caregiver training, psychosocial
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) L Education > LC Special aspects of education > LC5201 Education extension. Adult education. Continuing education R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Chronic Illness and Ageing Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Health Sciences (HEA)
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2026 14:22
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/53679

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