A new study from Queen Mary University of London and UCL has found that a special program, called NIDUS-Family, not only helps people with dementia live well at home but also reduces the costs of care.
Dementia is a condition that affects memory, thinking, and daily life. In the UK, about 982,000 people live with dementia, and this number is expected to grow.
The cost of caring for people with dementia could reach £90 billion by 2040.
Finding better ways to support people at home could help them live more comfortably while also making care more affordable.
NIDUS-Family is a program designed to provide personalized support for people with dementia and their family caregivers. It helps them set goals based on their needs, such as improving sleep, enjoying hobbies, or giving caregivers more time to take care of themselves. The program can be delivered through phone calls, video calls, or in-person visits.
A research team, led by Professor Claudia Cooper, tested the program by comparing it to usual care. They found that people who used NIDUS-Family were much more likely to reach their personal goals than those who did not. This was true no matter how the program was delivered—by phone, video, or face-to-face meetings.
Now, new data from the study shows that NIDUS-Family is also cost-effective. On average, people who participated in the program cost the NHS and social care services £8,934 (37%) less per year than those who did not receive the extra support.
The main reason for these savings was that participants spent less time in the hospital and used fewer social care services. The program itself cost only £346 per year, which is much lower than the costs it helped to reduce.
Professor Claudia Cooper explained that NIDUS-Family could be introduced widely across the NHS to provide better, evidence-based care for people with dementia. Since it improves lives and also saves money, it should become a standard part of dementia care.
Dr. Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer’s Society highlighted that dementia affects nearly a million people in the UK, yet very few programs offer personalized support.
Many available treatments are expensive, hard to access in remote areas, or require specialists who are already overwhelmed with work. NIDUS-Family is different because it is affordable, practical, and easy to use.
Professor Rachael Hunter from UCL said that this study is important because it shows a real solution that benefits both patients and the healthcare system.
Similarly, Professor Helen Kales from the United States noted that dementia affects entire families, and low-cost, evidence-based programs like NIDUS-Family are urgently needed. She believes the results of this study could influence dementia care policies in the U.S. as well.
The study’s findings come at a time when dementia care in the UK is under review. A recent government report has called for better diagnosis rates and improved support after diagnosis. Right now, national guidelines say that everyone with dementia should receive personalized care after diagnosis, but in reality, many do not.
About 61% of people over 65 with dementia live in their own homes, but without proper support, they often struggle with daily tasks, safety risks, and stress. In many cases, these challenges lead to a move into a care home.
Review and Analysis
This study highlights an important step forward in dementia care. The NIDUS-Family program shows that with the right support, people with dementia can live better lives at home while reducing costs for healthcare providers.
The program’s strength lies in its flexibility. It can be delivered in different ways—by phone, video, or in person—making it accessible to more people. It also focuses on personal goals, which helps individuals maintain a sense of independence and well-being.
Another key finding is its cost-effectiveness. Many healthcare programs are expensive and require specialized staff, making them difficult to expand. NIDUS-Family, on the other hand, provides real benefits at a low cost, which makes it a realistic option for public healthcare systems.
However, one challenge remains: ensuring that more people can access this type of support. Right now, many people with dementia do not receive personalized care after diagnosis. If programs like NIDUS-Family were made widely available, they could improve the lives of thousands while reducing pressure on the healthcare system.
In summary, this study offers strong evidence that NIDUS-Family is an effective and affordable way to support people with dementia and their families. The next step is making sure that this kind of care becomes available to everyone who needs it.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about the protective power of dietary antioxidants against Alzheimer’s, and eating habits linked to higher Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
The research findings can be found in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
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