Affiliations: [a] Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Department of Health and Society, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden | [b] Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden | [c] Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Health and Society, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden | [d] Center for Research and Development. Uppsala University-Gävleborg, 801 88 Gävle, Sweden | [e] Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Box 23 200, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden | [f] Stockholm Hospital and Nursing home Foundation, Research Unit, Stockholm, Sweden | [g] Arbetsterapeuterna Primärvården Gästrikland, Box 804, 801 30 Gävle, Sweden | P.O. Box 7167 Majorstua, 0307 Oslo, Norway
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Jenny Alwin, Center for Medical Technology Assessment, Department of Health and Society, Linköping University, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 13 224988; Fax +46 13 224995; E-mail: jenny.alwin@isv.liu.se.
Abstract: There is growing interest in assistive technology (AT) as a means of enabling participation in everyday activities for persons with dementia and their relatives. Health economic assessment of AT in dementia is of importance due to the consequences of the disease for both patients and relatives and to the high societal costs for dementia care. The aim of this article is to outline a model for assessment of AT interventions for persons with dementia. The model expands existing assessment models as it also includes evaluation of the intervention process. Methodological challenges and possibilities in making health economic assessments, including outcomes and costs, as well as process evaluation, are discussed in the article.
