Clarissa Giebel1,2, Jacqueline Cannon3,4, Kerry Hanna1, Sarah Butchard1,2, Ruth Eley5, Anna Gaughan6, Aravind Komuravelli7, Justine Shenton8, Steve Callaghan9, Hilary Tetlow10, Stan Limbert2, Rosie Whittington11, Carol Rogers12, Manoj Rajagopal13, Kym Ward14, Lisa Shaw15, Rhiannon Corcoran1,2, Kate Bennett16, Mark Gabbay1,2. 1. Department of Primary Care & Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. 2. NIHR ARC NWC, Liverpool, UK. 3. Wigan Dementia Action Alliance, Liverpool, UK. 4. Lewy Body Society, Liverpool, UK. 5. Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance, Liverpool, UK. 6. Together in Dementia Everyday (TIDE), Liverpool, UK. 7. North West Boroughs NHS Trust, Warrington, UK. 8. Sefton Older People's Forum, Sefton, UK. 9. EQE Health, Liverpool, UK. 10. SURF Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. 11. Me2U Day Care Centre, Liverpool, UK. 12. National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. 13. Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Trust, Lancaster, UK. 14. The Brain Charity, Liverpool, UK. 15. Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. 16. School of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Accessing social care and social support services is key to support the well-being of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. COVID-19 has caused sudden closures or radical modifications of these services, and is resulting in prolonged self-isolation. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of COVID-19 related social care and support service changes and closures on the lives of PLWD and unpaid carers. METHOD: PLWD and unpaid carers were interviewed via telephone in April 2020. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Demographic characteristics including household Index of Multiple Deprivation score and weekly hours of social support service usage before and since the COVID-19 outbreak were also collected. Paired samples t-tests was used to compare the mean of weekly hours of social support service usage before and since the outbreak. RESULTS: 50 semi-structured interviews were conducted with unpaid carers (n = 42) and PLWD (n = 8). There was a significant reduction in social support service usage since the outbreak. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) Loss of control; (2) Uncertainty; (3) Adapting and having to adapt to the new normal. Carers and PLWD were greatly affected by the sudden removal of social support services, and concerned about when services would re-open. Carers were worried about whether the person they cared for would still be able to re-join social support services. CONCLUSIONS: PLWD and carers need to receive specific practical and psychological support during the pandemic to support their well-being, which is severely affected by public health restrictions.
OBJECTIVES: Accessing social care and social support services is key to support the well-being of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. COVID-19 has caused sudden closures or radical modifications of these services, and is resulting in prolonged self-isolation. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of COVID-19 related social care and support service changes and closures on the lives of PLWD and unpaid carers. METHOD: PLWD and unpaid carers were interviewed via telephone in April 2020. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Demographic characteristics including household Index of Multiple Deprivation score and weekly hours of social support service usage before and since the COVID-19 outbreak were also collected. Paired samples t-tests was used to compare the mean of weekly hours of social support service usage before and since the outbreak. RESULTS: 50 semi-structured interviews were conducted with unpaid carers (n = 42) and PLWD (n = 8). There was a significant reduction in social support service usage since the outbreak. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes: (1) Loss of control; (2) Uncertainty; (3) Adapting and having to adapt to the new normal. Carers and PLWD were greatly affected by the sudden removal of social support services, and concerned about when services would re-open. Carers were worried about whether the person they cared for would still be able to re-join social support services. CONCLUSIONS: PLWD and carers need to receive specific practical and psychological support during the pandemic to support their well-being, which is severely affected by public health restrictions.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID19; Dementia and cognitive disorders; quality of life/ wellbeing; social support
Authors: Emily West; Pushpa Nair; Yolanda Barrado-Martin; Kate R Walters; Nuriye Kupeli; Elizabeth L Sampson; Nathan Davies Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-05-18 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Diederik R de Boer; Femke Hoekstra; Kimberley I M Huetink; Trynke Hoekstra; Leonie A Krops; Florentina J Hettinga Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-11 Impact factor: 3.390