The financial impact of dementia care

A DEMENTIA diagnosis can be devastating—not only emotionally, but also financially. While the emotional toll of caring for a loved one with dementia is immense, the often-overlooked financial implications can be just as overwhelming. Understanding the potential costs and planning can help families avoid unnecessary financial strain.

- ALEX ODENDAAL

The cost of care

Dementia is an umbrella term for various brain disorders that affect memory, thinking, behaviour, language, and physical ability. It gradually robs a person of their independence, with most patients eventually requiring full-time care.

Life expectancy after diagnosis ranges from 5 to 15 years, depending on the type and stage of the condition.

From a medical aid perspective, although 'treatable dementia' is a Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB), cover is usually limited to the initial diagnosis and short-term treatment of acute psychotic episodes. In addition to basic medical costs, families must often cover expensive medication to slow down the disease progression and manage behavioural symptoms such as paranoia, aggression, or hallucinations.

Specialist consultations, such as with geriatric psychiatrists, can cost over R3,000 per session, further adding to the financial strain.

The burden on families

With very few South Africans in a position to retire comfortably, the reality is that the financial responsibility for dementia care typically falls to family members, with the economic costs being difficult to quantify.