TY - JOUR
T1 - Understanding the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia on individuals and families in the United Kingdom
T2 - Results of an online survey
AU - Mayrhofer, Andrea
AU - Greenwood, Nan
AU - Smeeton, Nigel
AU - Almack, Kathryn
AU - Buckingham, Louise
AU - Shora , Shaheen
AU - Goodman, Claire
N1 - © 2021 The Authors. Health and Social Care in the Community published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an open access article. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
PY - 2021/3/21
Y1 - 2021/3/21
N2 - Although literature on postdiagnostic support for people affected by young onset dementia acknowledges financial concerns, this topic has remained underresearched. The aim of this study was to explore the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia on individuals and families. An online survey, comprising binary yes/no, multiple-response and open-ended questions, was codesigned with people living with young onset dementia. The survey was promoted via networks and online platforms. Data were collected from August to October 2019. Survey respondents across the United Kingdom (n = 55) who had received a diagnosis of young onset dementia were aged between 45 and 64, were at different stages of dementia and had been diagnosed with thirteen different types of dementia. Of the 55 respondents, 71% (n = 39) had received assistance from family members when completing the survey. The main financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia resulted from premature loss of income and reduced and often deferred pension entitlements. In some cases, care-costs became unaffordable. Lack of clarity of processes and procedures around needs assessments, carers' assessments and financial assessments by different organisations resulted in some families having to ask for legal advice and, in some cases, involved lengthy appeal processes. Future research needs to involve Adult Social Care and Third Sector organisations to help codesign and test financial management interventions to support people affected by this progressive health condition.
AB - Although literature on postdiagnostic support for people affected by young onset dementia acknowledges financial concerns, this topic has remained underresearched. The aim of this study was to explore the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia on individuals and families. An online survey, comprising binary yes/no, multiple-response and open-ended questions, was codesigned with people living with young onset dementia. The survey was promoted via networks and online platforms. Data were collected from August to October 2019. Survey respondents across the United Kingdom (n = 55) who had received a diagnosis of young onset dementia were aged between 45 and 64, were at different stages of dementia and had been diagnosed with thirteen different types of dementia. Of the 55 respondents, 71% (n = 39) had received assistance from family members when completing the survey. The main financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia resulted from premature loss of income and reduced and often deferred pension entitlements. In some cases, care-costs became unaffordable. Lack of clarity of processes and procedures around needs assessments, carers' assessments and financial assessments by different organisations resulted in some families having to ask for legal advice and, in some cases, involved lengthy appeal processes. Future research needs to involve Adult Social Care and Third Sector organisations to help codesign and test financial management interventions to support people affected by this progressive health condition.
KW - young onset dementia, financial impact, personal independence payment (PIP), social care, assessment, care costs, financial advice
KW - assessment
KW - personal independence payment (PIP)
KW - young onset dementia
KW - care costs
KW - financial impact
KW - financial advice
KW - social care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85102737319&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/hsc.13334
DO - 10.1111/hsc.13334
M3 - Article
SN - 0966-0410
JO - Health & Social Care in the Community
JF - Health & Social Care in the Community
ER -