ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: With a lack of existing comprehensive reviews, the aim of this mixed-method systematic review was to synthesise the evidence on the early impacts of the pandemic on unpaid dementia carers across the globe. METHODS: This review was registered on PROSPERO [CDR42021248050]. PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science were searched from 2020 to July 2021. Studies were included if they reported on the different impacts of the pandemic on unpaid dementia carers aged 18+, with papers published in English, German, Polish, or Spanish. A number of research team members were involved in the selection of studies following PRISMA guidance. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies (43 papers) from 18 countries reported on the early impact of the pandemic on unpaid dementia carers. Impacts were noted on accessing care and support; carer burden; and well-being. Studies found that carers had limited access to care and support services, increased workload, enhanced feelings of social isolation, and reduced wellbeing. Specifically, reductions in access to care and support increased carer's unpaid caring tasks, removing any opportunities for temporary respite, and thus further increasing carer burden and reducing mental well-being in many. CONCLUSIONS: The needs of unpaid dementia carers appear to have increased during the pandemic, without adequate support provided. Policy initiatives need to enable better mental health support and formal care provision for unpaid carers and their relatives with dementia, whilst future research needs to explore the long-term implications of carer needs in light of care home restrictions and care delivery.
ABSTRACT
Background: Carer burden amongst carers of youth with an eating disorder is substantial and if not addressed can lead to negative outcomes for the patient, carer and family. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made caring for youth with an ED even more onerous and preliminary research is beginning to emerge demonstrating the profound negative impact the pandemic is having upon individuals with EDs and their carers. Main: In this review, we briefly summarize what is known about carer burden in families where a young person has an ED, consider the additional impact consequent to COVID-19 and highlight the need for interventions aimed at alleviating this. Pre-COVID-19 research identifies high levels of psychological and physical strain amongst those caring for a child with an ED. Themes are beginning to emerge as to why COVID-19 may further exacerbate carer burden: (1) reduced access to ED services;(2) increased physical vulnerability and exacerbation of psychiatric co-morbidity amongst youth with EDs;(3) increased practical demands placed on carers;and (4) social isolation and decreased social support. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a specific threat to the mental health of youth with EDs and their carers. Given the salient role families play in caring for youth with an ED, attending to carer burden is imperative. Supporting carers through all phases of their child's ED journey by offering adaptive and flexible supportive services which accommodate time constraints, geographic barriers and possible COVID-19 spread is essential. Plain English summary: Caring for a child with an Eating Disorder (ED) can be difcult at the best of times. Research is beginning to emerge demonstrating the negative impact the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having both on youth with an ED and their carers. In this review, we briefy summarize what is known about carer burden in families where a young person has an ED, consider the additional impact of COVID-19 and highlight the need for further supportive interventions. This review indicates that carer burden is substantial amongst those caring for a loved one with an ED and additional strain has been placed on carers during the pandemic. Key themes have emerged likely contributing to an increase in carer burden during COVID-19: (1) reduced access to ED services;(2) increased physical vulnerability and exacerbation of psychiatric co-morbidity amongst youth with EDs;(3) increased practical demands placed on carers;and (4) social isolation and decreased social support. Findings from this review aim to inspire further research on how best we can support carers of youth with EDs during the pandemic and beyond. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Carer burden amongst carers of youth with an eating disorder is substantial and if not addressed can lead to negative outcomes for the patient, carer and family. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has made caring for youth with an ED even more onerous and preliminary research is beginning to emerge demonstrating the profound negative impact the pandemic is having upon individuals with EDs and their carers. MAIN: In this review, we briefly summarize what is known about carer burden in families where a young person has an ED, consider the additional impact consequent to COVID-19 and highlight the need for interventions aimed at alleviating this. Pre-COVID-19 research identifies high levels of psychological and physical strain amongst those caring for a child with an ED. Themes are beginning to emerge as to why COVID-19 may further exacerbate carer burden: (1) reduced access to ED services; (2) increased physical vulnerability and exacerbation of psychiatric co-morbidity amongst youth with EDs; (3) increased practical demands placed on carers; and (4) social isolation and decreased social support. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic poses a specific threat to the mental health of youth with EDs and their carers. Given the salient role families play in caring for youth with an ED, attending to carer burden is imperative. Supporting carers through all phases of their child's ED journey by offering adaptive and flexible supportive services which accommodate time constraints, geographic barriers and possible COVID-19 spread is essential.
Caring for a child with an Eating Disorder (ED) can be difficult at the best of times. Research is beginning to emerge demonstrating the negative impact the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is having both on youth with an ED and their carers. In this review, we briefly summarize what is known about carer burden in families where a young person has an ED, consider the additional impact of COVID-19 and highlight the need for further supportive interventions. This review indicates that carer burden is substantial amongst those caring for a loved one with an ED and additional strain has been placed on carers during the pandemic. Key themes have emerged likely contributing to an increase in carer burden during COVID-19: (1) reduced access to ED services; (2) increased physical vulnerability and exacerbation of psychiatric co-morbidity amongst youth with EDs; (3) increased practical demands placed on carers; and (4) social isolation and decreased social support. Findings from this review aim to inspire further research on how best we can support carers of youth with EDs during the pandemic and beyond.