The ability to perform IADLs and BADLs at an individual's accustomed level defines independence and is not only highly valued by patients and their families but also has significant financial implications. Indeed, in the United States, caregivers of people with AD who lost independent function provided an estimated 18 billion hours of unpaid assistance in 2022, valued at $339.5 billion. 17 In the United States, the average cost of residing in an assisted living facility is $56,068 per year, and the average cost of living in a nursing home is $112,556 for a private room and $98,534 for a shared room. 17 For these reasons, preservation of independence is a highly meaningful outcome for patients and their families.
