Impact of the pandemic time on the mental health of Chilean caregivers: 1‐year follow‐up preliminary results

• DOI: 10.1002/alz.080527
• Publication Date: 2023-12-25T13:19:06Z
• Authors: Loreto Olavarria; Walter Sepúlveda ...; Paulo Caramelli; Maira Tonidandel ...; Caíssa Andrade; Jose Lema; Andrea Slachevsky
• Keywords: Sadness; Pandemic; Social Isolation

Abstract Background The worldwide COVID‐19 pandemic has been a major challenge for the health system in past years. From March 2020 until 2022 there were extensive lockdowns Latin America to ensure physical distance and reduce virus transmission. Previous studies reported negative impact of social isolation on people living with dementia, however, caregivers little studied so far. This study analyses mental time dementia. Method In order evaluate clinical behavioral changes from prior assessment conducted dementia their family caregivers, 1‐year follow‐up phone was same sample previous research. Participants Chile assessed by two semi‐structured questionnaires. Results 106 patients interviewed during year (age: 73.3 ± 9.5 years; female: 57%). After one follow‐up, 61 contacted. Compared baseline, after 75% % worse (p:0.028), 56% more sadness associated patient care (p:0.001); 93% reduced sleeping (p:0.07) 51% received help (p:0.036). are table 1. Conclusion Although caregiver had daily assistance 2021 compared 2020, psychological health. Even if these results might be explained normal evolution did not show significant change person consequence rather than exclusively disease.