A Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Group Memory Intervention for Healthy Older Adults with Memory Concerns

Abstract

This study examines whether memory intervention programs can mitigate health care costs. Research suggests these programs translate to a decreased intention of older adults who are worried about age-normal memory changes to seek traditional outlets for medical/psychiatric help. We employed a cost-benefit analysis approach to analyze the effectiveness of a memory intervention program within Ontario. We leveraged estimates of decreased intentionality to seek physician care following a community-based memory intervention with physician billing profiles to calculate the potential cost savings to the province's health care system. The intervention studied was found to reduce provincial health care spending by $6,094 per program group. This amount exceeds $121.25 in direct costs per attendee associated with administering five program sessions. This analysis justifies further research on how community-based memory and aging programs can offer low-cost solutions to help individuals cope with subjective memory complaints and assist the health care system in prioritizing care for aging patients.

Keywords: aging; analyse coûts-bénéfices; cost-benefit analysis; dementia; déficit cognitif léger; démence; healthy aging; intervention visant la mémoire; memory intervention; mild cognitive impairment; plaintes subjectives concernant la mémoire; subjective memory complaints; vieillissement; vieillissement en santé.