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Introduction: A high burden and many negative outcomes for older people were associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Social isolation and loneliness are prevalent health problems impacting well-being and quality of life and may have increased due to pandemic-related restrictions. Methods: This study investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness in people visiting a mem40ory clinic between March 2020 and September 2022. We conducted a prospective, single-center, questionnaire-based observational follow-up study to assess potential predictors of newly occurring, pandemic-related loneliness. Next to a newly developed COVID-19 questionnaire, a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the Geriatric Depression Scale were used. Results: In total 426 people (mean age: 76.48 years, 12.9% cognitively intact, 33.1% diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, 49.8% diagnosed with dementia, and 4.2% diagnosed with depression) completed the COVID-19 questionnaire at baseline and 166 at follow-up. Newly occurring loneliness was indicated by 22.3% of baseline participants and by 24.1% of follow-up participants. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that living alone (OR 5.452) and having less contact with friends (OR 2.771) were most predictive of the occurrence of loneliness. The use of digital communication media as an alternative strategy for social interaction was lowest in dementia patients (6-13%). Discussion: In conclusion, personal contacts and a close friendship network appear to be more decisive to prevent loneliness in older people than does the use of digital communication media. However, promoting an intensified use of digital communication media may be useful to counteract loneliness, especially in dementia patients.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with high mortality and negative consequences for patients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia and their caregivers. Memory clinics play an important role in enabling early dementia diagnosis and providing support for patients and their caregivers. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions on patients of a memory clinic and their caregivers between March 2020 and March 2021. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, single-center, questionnaire-based, observational study to assess consequences and perception of the COVID-19 pandemic on emotion, cognitive function, social living, areas of care, and information retrieval. RESULTS: Results of 255 participants' (mean age 76.78, SD 8.9; 12% cognitively intact, 33% mild cognitive impairment, 55% dementia) and 203 caregivers' COVID-19 questionnaires (valid response rate 71%) could be included in the study. Participants reported a prevalence of psychological symptoms associated with the pandemic between 3-20%. Caregivers living outside compared to those living with the participant reported higher rates of new onset or worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms in participants since pandemic onset. Patients with dementia showed the lowest use of digital communication before (15.7%) and after (17.1%) pandemic onset in the diagnostic groups. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic frequently led to social isolation and reduced cognitive stimulation due to restrictions in elderly persons with cognitive deficits resulting in negative effects on emotional and social levels. We hypothesize that the implementation and sensitization with digital communication in clinical routine could provide a useful tool to counteract these negative effects.