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A qualitative 5-country comparison of the perceived impacts of COVID-19 on people living with dementia and unpaid carers.
Giebel, Clarissa; Lion, Katarzyna; Mackowiak, Maria; Chattat, Rabih; Kumar, P N Suresh; Cations, Monica; Gabbay, Mark; Moyle, Wendy; Ottoboni, Giovanni; Rymaszewska, Joanna; Senczyszyn, Adrianna; Szczesniak, Dorota; Tetlow, Hilary; Trypka, Elzbieta; Valente, Marco; Chirico, Ilaria.
  • Giebel C; Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. Clarissa.giebel@liverpool.ac.uk.
  • Lion K; NIHR ARC NWC, Liverpool, UK. Clarissa.giebel@liverpool.ac.uk.
  • Mackowiak M; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Chattat R; Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
  • Kumar PNS; Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
  • Cations M; IQRAA International Hospital and Research Center, Kerala, India.
  • Gabbay M; College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
  • Moyle W; Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
  • Ottoboni G; NIHR ARC NWC, Liverpool, UK.
  • Rymaszewska J; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Senczyszyn A; Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
  • Szczesniak D; Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
  • Tetlow H; Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
  • Trypka E; Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
  • Valente M; NIHR ARC NWC, Liverpool, UK.
  • Chirico I; Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
BMC Geriatr ; 22(1): 116, 2022 02 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1677487
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Emerging evidence shows an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with dementia and informal carers, without any evidence-based global comparison to date. The aim of this international study was to explore and compare the perceived impact of COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions on the lives of people living with dementia and informal carers and access to dementia care across five countries.

METHODS:

Informal carers and people living with dementia who were residing in the community in the UK, Australia, Italy, India, and Poland were interviewed remotely between April and December 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of the pandemic and how restrictions have impacted on their lives and care. Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS:

Fifteen people living with dementia and 111 informal carers participated across the five countries. Four themes emerged (1) Limited access and support; (2) Technology and issues accessing remote support; (3) Emotional impact; and (4) Decline of cognitive and physical health reported by carers. Whilst variations were noted, the pandemic has indirectly affected people with dementia and carers across all five countries. The pandemic removed access to social support services and thus increased carer burden. Remote services were not always provided and were very limited in benefit and usability for those with dementia. As a result, carers appeared to notice reduced cognitive and physical health in people with dementia. Particular differences were noted between India and Poland vs. the UK, Italy, and Australia, with less impact on care provision in the former due to limited uptake of support services pre-pandemic based on cultural settings.

CONCLUSIONS:

The pandemic has amplified dementia as a global public health problem, and people affected by the condition need support to better access vital support services to live well.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Dementia / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: BMC Geriatr Journal subject: Geriatrics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12877-022-02821-1

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Dementia / COVID-19 Type of study: Diagnostic study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Qualitative research Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: BMC Geriatr Journal subject: Geriatrics Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12877-022-02821-1