ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oasi Research Institute of Troina (Italy) became an important hotbed for infection; in fact, 109 patients with different levels of Intellectual Disability (ID) tested positive for COVID-19. The procedures and interventions put in place at the Oasi Research Institute due to the COVID-19 pandemic are exhaustively reported in this paper. The description of the clinical procedures as well as remote/in person psychological support services provided to people with ID and their families are here divided into three different sections: Phase I (or Acute phase), Phase II (or Activity planning), and Phase III (or Activity consolidation). In each section, the main psycho-pathological characteristics of patients, the reactions of family members and the multidisciplinary interventions put in place are also described.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Developmental Disabilities/rehabilitation , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Psychosocial Support Systems , Telemedicine , Academies and Institutes , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Autism Spectrum Disorder/epidemiology , Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology , Autism Spectrum Disorder/rehabilitation , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/physiopathology , COVID-19/psychology , Child , Child, Preschool , Comorbidity , Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology , Developmental Disabilities/psychology , Disease Hotspot , Disease Outbreaks , Epilepsy/epidemiology , Female , Hospitals, Special , Humans , Hypothyroidism/epidemiology , Infant , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , Mood Disorders/epidemiology , Mood Disorders/psychology , Mood Disorders/rehabilitation , Obesity/epidemiology , Overweight/epidemiology , Personality Disorders/epidemiology , Personality Disorders/psychology , Personality Disorders/rehabilitation , Psychotic Disorders/epidemiology , Psychotic Disorders/psychology , Psychotic Disorders/rehabilitation , Respiratory Distress Syndrome/physiopathology , SARS-CoV-2 , Severity of Illness Index , Young AdultABSTRACT
The COVID-19 epidemic caused disruption and dislocation in the lives of people with disabilities, their families, and providers. What we have learned during this period regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the service system for people with disabilities should provide a roadmap for building a more robust and agile system going forward. Based on a canvas of leaders in our field, I propose a way of outlining a reimagined system.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Developmental Disabilities/rehabilitation , Health Services/trends , Intellectual Disability/rehabilitation , Pandemics/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/psychology , Developmental Disabilities/epidemiology , Developmental Disabilities/psychology , Humans , Intellectual Disability/epidemiology , Intellectual Disability/psychology , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/psychology , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: While COVID-19 outbreak has had adverse psychological effects in children with special needs, the mental state and burden on their caregivers during this pandemic has yet to be reported. AIMS: The objectives of this study were to describe the mental health status and the change in perceived strain among caregivers during the COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Two hundred sixty four caregivers completed an online survey that assessed demographics, use and perspective on tele-rehabilitation, homecare therapy, caregiver's strain and mental health. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms were found to be 62.5 %, 20.5 % and 36.4 % respectively. A significant difference in caregiver strain (pâ¯<⯠0.001, effect size = 0.93) was observed during the outbreak compared to levels pre-outbreak (pre-outbreak strain was measured retrospectively). Caregivers not using tele-rehabilitation along with a perception of it being a poor medium for rehabilitation were at greater risks for poor mental health whereas a negative perception on homecare therapy were strongly associated with higher psychological symptoms and strain. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study identified a high prevalence of depression and significant change in strain displayed by caregivers during the COVID-19 outbreak. We identified several factors associated with poor mental health and perceived strain that can be used to help safeguard caregivers.