ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affected individuals' physical and mental health. Protective measures such as closures, social-distancing, masking, and isolation resulted in increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. This study aimed to investigate life changes associated with COVID-19 for family caregivers of persons with Lewy body disease (LBD). Method(s): Data were analyzed from an existing LBD caregiver needs and concerns study that took place between January 2021 and February 2021. A mixed methods approach was used to describe how 20 caregivers' lives changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Items from the Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (BCOS) were adapted for COVID-19 and rated on a response scale ranging from 1 = changed for the worst to 7 = changed for the best, with 4 = did not change. Qualitative data were collected as participants expanded upon their responses to the scale items. Result(s): Caregivers experienced both positive and negative life changes as a result of COVID-19. On average, positive changes included increased use of the internet to order items (Mean = 4.35), videoconferencing to connect with others (Mean = 4.55), and improved financial well-being (Mean = 4.35). Negative changes included reduced social (Mean = 1.7) and family (Mean = 2.05) activities and decreased ability to cope with stress (Mean = 2.60). Most responses ranged from 1 to 4, with some items having wider ranges from 1 to 7 showing that individual caregivers were impacted differently by the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative comments were consistent with quantitative responses. Some caregivers expressed concerns that limited family and social contact contributed to a more rapid decline in the person with LBD. Caregiver health and well-being were negatively affected as well, with caregivers noting decreased level of energy and worsened physical health. Conclusion(s): Family caregivers of persons with LBD experienced both positive and negative life changes as a result of COVID-19. Responses indicated that caregivers were affected in a variety of ways and an individualized approach is recommended in dealing with caregiver life changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Copyright © 2022 the Alzheimer's Association.