ABSTRACT
Background: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mandated state lockdowns in the U.S. profoundly changed day-to-day life for many individuals providing informal care for a person with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. The present study explored changes in caregiver burden, depression, and anxiety associated with lockdown. Method(s): We used questionnaire data collected as part of a randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2019 - June 2021. Participants (N = 260 familial caregivers for people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment living in the US) completed a baseline survey at the start of the study and follow-up surveys every three months for six-nine months. Questionnaires included the Zarit Burden Index, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We determined the date of lockdown based on the first lockdown order issued in the participant's state of residence. For each survey score, we also determined the number of days before or after the lockdown date. Result(s): The mean age of caregivers in the sample was 63.93 years and 68% were female. A regression predicting caregiver burden from the days before/after lockdown revealed that burden decreased over time, (beta = -0.008, p =.051). Consistent with this, comparing the average of all scores obtained after lockdown with those obtained before lockdown indicated that burden decreased during lockdown, (t(172) = -2.52, p =.013). Levels of caregiver anxiety and depression were not associated with days before/after lockdown and did not change from before lockdown to after lockdown (p's >.05). Conclusion(s): Surprisingly, caregivers in our sample experienced a decrease in burden associated with COVID lockdown. We believe this may result from lockdown providing relief from caregivers' other responsibilities (e.g., being able to work from home, reduced social obligations). The lack of changes in anxiety and depression may reflect this as well, with these areas of relief offsetting some of the stresses that would normally result in worsening mood for caregivers. In future research we hope to further explore these complex relationships among lockdown, burden, depression, and anxiety. Copyright © 2022 the Alzheimer's Association.