Exploring the social value and design preferences for a home-based dementia community program in Australia

We study the monetary value and the relative importance of several program characteristics for an evidence-based intervention provided at home for people living with dementia and their carers in Australia. Using a discrete choice experiment, advised through an expert and consumer co-design approach, we consider the total number of sessions, the delivery mode, the primary outcome and focus of the program as well as its costs as attributes. Results from a representative sample of the Australian adult population show a high willingness to pay for the program overall, even greater than the actual costs. Choice data from 940 respondents show preferences for in-person sessions over telehealth options and respondents place a high value on improving mood and dementia-related behaviour as well as independence in daily activities. Preference heterogeneity shows that people who have experience with home care services place an even higher monetary value on the program, compared to the rest of the sample. In light of the increased emphasis of governments on expanding home care options over residential care, these results contribute towards the design and implementation of a home-based program for people with dementia and their carers and highlight its social value.