ABSTRACT
Background: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be manifested as various behavioral and clinical symptoms. Objective: To investigate the impacts of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. Methods: Two semi-structured questionnaires were applied via telephone to family caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia in three cities in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, in order to assess clinical and behavioral changes in people with dementia and in their caregivers. Results: In general, 321 interviews were conducted. A significant decline in memory function has been reported among 53.0% of people with dementia. In addition, 31.2% of individuals with dementia felt sadder and 37.4% had increased anxiety symptoms. These symptoms of anxiety were greater in individuals with mild to moderate dementia, while symptoms of agitation were greater in individuals with severe dementia. Moreover, compulsive-obsessive behavior, hallucinations, increased forgetfulness, altered appetite, and increased difficulty in activities of daily living were reported more frequently among individuals with moderate to severe dementia. Caregivers reported feeling more tired and overwhelmed during this period and these symptoms were also influenced by the severity of dementia. Conclusion: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of negative behavioral repercussions, both for people with dementia and for their family caregivers in these three South American countries. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Background Worldwide, the Covid-19 pandemic impacted on professionals and patients receiving cognitive rehabilitation (CR) forcing them to instrument assistance programs through tele-neuropsychology. Many of those who receive CR are older adults who lack the necessary technological knowledge to carry out CR through teleneuropsychology. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of a training program on technological tools, carried out by high school students, for older adults who received CR through teleneuropsychology. Method Design: Pre-post, longitudinal intervention study. Participants: Older adults (n=13) (73.34 +/- 5.07 years old) and Students (n=20) (16.14 +/-1.33 years old). The intervention consisted of a 4 week program for technological training. Participants were assessed at the beginning and the end of the program which consists in two training sessions of 45 minutes each. Instruments: Older adults were assessed with: Questionnaire of Social Demographic Data and Use of Technology (built ad. Hoc.), Functional Assessment Questionnaire, MOS Scale of Social Support, Try Your Memory Test (TYM). Students were assessed with: Basic data questionnaire and Negative stereotypes questionnaire towards old age (CENVE). Result When comparing pre and post-tests, statistically significant differences were found in the assessed variables. In the older adult group, a significant difference was found in the use of zoom platform (z= -2.97, p= .003). In the student group, a statistically significant difference was found regarding the beliefs about aging (z=-2,53 p= .01). Conclusion These results add evidence regarding the importance of applying technology training programs for older adults. Intergenerational programs are a promising alternative where both parts can benefit: older adults through the incorporation of meaningful technological tools for their daily lives, and young participants taking the opportunity to provide community service and to deconstruct negative prejudices and beliefs towards old age and its consequences.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be manifested as various behavioral and clinical symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impacts of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. METHODS: Two semi-structured questionnaires were applied via telephone to family caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia in three cities in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, in order to assess clinical and behavioral changes in people with dementia and in their caregivers. RESULTS: In general, 321 interviews were conducted. A significant decline in memory function has been reported among 53.0%of people with dementia. In addition, 31.2%of individuals with dementia felt sadder and 37.4%had increased anxiety symptoms. These symptoms of anxiety were greater in individuals with mild to moderate dementia, while symptoms of agitation were greater in individuals with severe dementia. Moreover, compulsive-obsessive behavior, hallucinations, increased forgetfulness, altered appetite, and increased difficulty in activities of daily living were reported more frequently among individuals with moderate to severe dementia. Caregivers reported feeling more tired and overwhelmed during this period and these symptoms were also influenced by the severity of dementia. CONCLUSION: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of negative behavioral repercussions, both for people with dementia and for their family caregivers in these three South American countries.