Evidence review: the impact of an ageing population on end of life care costs

Author:
TOWNSEND Matthew
Publisher:
London School of Economics and Political Science. Personal Social Services Research Unit
Publication year:
2016
Pagination:
20
Place of publication:
London

Summarises evidence on the likely impact that an ageing population will have on end of life care costs and how this could influence future health and social care costs within the UK. Key findings from the review include: population ageing is likely to increase acute care expenditures moderately, and more strongly increase expenditures in long-term and social care; multi-morbidity and dementia are highly associated with increased health expenditure at end of life, and that prioritising medical innovations that improve quality of life and functioning at end of life, and assisting individuals to remain living at home, have the greatest potential to lead to cost savings. Following the evidence review, three end of life interventions are described which have the potential to reduce health expenditures and some of the rising costs of an ageing population. These are palliative care teams, advance care planning, and care integration for individuals with multi-morbidity. It concludes that the cost of population ageing at end of life would be a greater concern if the health and social care system failed to adapt to the needs of an older and more complex patient cohort. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
literature reviews, ageing, end of life care, costs, comorbidity, complex needs, older people, public expenditure;
Content type:
research review
Location(s):
United Kingdom
Link:
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Series name:
PSSRU Discussion Paper 2912

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