"Please Don't Forget Us": A Descriptive Qualitative Study of Caregivers of Older Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The current descriptive qualitative study explored the perceived impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on sleep disturbances and nighttime agitation; the reported use of antipsychotics and other sedating medications; and the overall well-being of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers. One investigator conducted in-depth, phone interviews with caregivers of nursing home residents with ADRD (four family caregivers [FCs], three nurse practitioners [NPs]) and seven FCs of older adults with ADRD who lived with them at home. Caregivers described multiple sleep disturbances. Nighttime agitation symptoms were perceived to continue or worsen, and sedating medications and nonpharmacological interventions were required. Adverse impacts on reported well-being were significant, and impacts were grouped into emotional, social, and physical themes. Caregivers said, "Please don't forget us," and requested telehealth support for those at home and technology and human resources for nursing homes to reduce adverse impacts. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(5), 217-228.].

Religion, Spirituality, and Coping During the Pandemic: Perspectives of Dementia Caregivers.

Religious and spiritual (R/S) practices support individuals during difficult situations. The COVID-19 social distancing restrictions may have limited access to R/S practices for older adults with Alzheimer's disease related dementia (ADRD) and their caregivers, affecting coping and well-being. This qualitative study explored the impact of social distancing on R/S practices and coping in ADRD-caregiver dyads from the perspective of caregivers. Interviews were conducted with 11 family caregivers of older adults with ADRD residing in nursing homes (n = 4) or private homes (n = 7). Caregivers continued individual and started virtual R/S practices which improved their ability to cope. However, organized R/S practices were unavailable for those with ADRD, but they used prayer and read religious texts which noticeably improved their mood. Healthcare professionals' sharing of individual and community R/S resources available for ADRD-caregiver dyads could decrease anxiety and agitation, while improving their ability to cope with increased isolation.

How People with a Chronic Health Condition Have Promoted their Health during COVID-19

To interview individuals with long-standing Multiple Sclerosis about their perceptions of COVID-19 restrictions on health, health care access, and health promotion. A descriptive qualitative approach with maximum variation sampling was used to facilitate low inference interpretation. After coming to consensus on the codes, the researchers clustered the codes and used them to identify emerging themes, consistent with analytic techniques suggested by Miles and Huberman. Telephone interviews were conducted with individuals with multiple sclerosis living in the community who were recruited from the mailing list of the National MS Society. The 24 individuals interviewed had an average age of 66 years, and had been diagnosed an average of 32 years. Half were married, and 75% were female. Many had college degrees;six were employed. This is a qualitative study with no intervention. Self-reported health, health care access, and health promoting behaviors. Four interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: negative effects on health and health promotion, being isolated, loss of spontaneity in daily life, and resilience. Although most individuals initially reported no effect of COVID-19 on their health, additional probing revealed that some felt weaker and had more balance problems. Normal exercise regimens had been disrupted for approximately half of them. Several also described decreased social interactions;80% expressed negative emotional impacts. Many utilized previously developed coping mechanisms, such as cognitive reframing, and support from family as they adapted to COVID-19. Most individuals reported no MS exacerbations and were able to have some contact with providers, usually through telehealth. Providers and researchers should monitor the on-going impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical functioning and emotional well-being among individuals with MS. Higher levels of depression have been previously reported among those with MS. For those needing mental health supports, rapid advancements in telehealth enable providers to refer them to psychological services provided through access from their homes. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-being Among Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 outbreak and associated physical distancing measures altered the social world for most older adults, but people who live alone may have been disproportionately affected. The current study examined how living alone was associated with daily social contact and emotional well-being among older adults during the pandemic. METHOD: Adults (N = 226) aged 69+ completed a brief survey assessing their living situation, social contact with different social partners (in person, by phone, electronically), and emotions during the morning, afternoon, and evening the prior day. RESULTS: Older adults who live alone were less likely to see others in person or to receive or provide help. Living alone was associated with more positive emotions concurrent with in-person contact. In contrast, phone contact was associated with higher levels of negative affect among those living alone, but not among those who live with others. Older adults who live alone were more likely to have contact with friends (rather than family). DISCUSSION: Findings suggest older adults who live alone may be more reactive to social contact during the COVID-19 outbreak than older adults who reside with others. In-person contact may confer distinct benefits not available via telephone contact, suggesting that possible interventions during the pandemic may work best with safe forms of in-person contact, possibly with nonfamily members.

Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-Being among Older Adults

The COVID-19 outbreak and the associated physical distancing measures dramatically altered the social world for most older adults, but people who live alone may have been disproportionately affected. The current study examined how living alone was related to social contact and emotional well-being among older adults during the pandemic. Adults (N = 226) aged 69+ completed a brief survey assessing their living situation, social contact with different social partners (in person, by phone, electronically), and emotions during the morning, afternoon and evening the prior day. Older adults who live alone were less likely to see others in person or to receive or provide help, and reported less positive emotion the prior day than those who lived with others. Living alone was associated with more positive emotions concurrent with in-person contact. In contrast, phone contact was related to higher levels of negate affect among those living alone, but not among those who live with others. Findings suggest older adults who live alone may be more reactive to social contact during the COVID 19 outbreak than older adults who reside with others. In-person contact appears to confer distinct benefits not available via telephone contact, suggesting that possible interventions during the pandemic may work best with safe forms of in-person contact.