Authors: Michelle Jessica Pereira, Ri Yin Tay, Woan Shin Tan, Joseph Antonio De Castro Molina, Noorhazlina Binte Ali, Ian Yi Onn Leong, Huei Yaw Wu, Jing Jih Chin, Angel Onn Kei Lee, Mervyn Yong Hwang Koh, Allyn Y M Hum

Published in: BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care Published Online First: 20 May 2020. doi: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-002145

Summary points:

• A multi-disciplinary, home-based palliative care team with specialised skills for advanced dementia reduced healthcare utilisation and costs when compared to no homecare for patients who were enrolled fully during the look-back periods studied. Healthcare utilisation in terms of cumulative length of stay, but not cost benefits, were found for those with shorter enrolments.
• The economic benefit enhances the sustainability of such a care model which is particularly pertinent as we grapple with the challenges of a rapidly ageing population locally and globally.
• The outcome of this study aims to inform policy making for integrating the care of advanced dementia patients at home. This includes allocating more resources to support families and caregivers, and expanding this care model to benefit a wider population of patients who wish to remain at home with their families at the end-of-life.