A qualitative 5-country comparison of the perceived impacts of COVID-19 on people living with dementia and unpaid carers

• DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-02821-1
• Publication Date: 2022-02-11T15:02:46Z
• Authors: Clarissa Giebel; Katarzyna Lion; Maria Mackowiak; Rabih Chattat; P. N. Suresh Kumar; Monica Cations; Mark Gabbay; Wendy Moyle; Giovanni Ottoboni; Joanna Rymaszewska; Adrianna Senczyszyn; Dorota Szczesniak; Hilary Tetlow; Elzbieta Trypka; Marco Valente; Ilaria Chirico
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

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 this international study was explore compare perceived associated public health restrictions lives carers access care across five countries. Methods Informal who were residing in community UK, Australia, Italy, India, Poland interviewed remotely between April December 2020. Participants asked about their experiences how have impacted care. Transcripts analysed by researchers each country using inductive thematic analysis. Results Fifteen 111 participated Four themes emerged: (1) Limited support; (2) Technology issues accessing remote (3) Emotional impact; (4) Decline cognitive physical reported carers. Whilst variations noted, has indirectly affected all removed social support services thus increased carer burden. Remote not always provided very limited benefit usability for those dementia. As a result, appeared notice reduced Particular differences noted India vs. less provision former due uptake pre-pandemic based cultural settings. Conclusions amplified as problem, condition need better vital live well.