Journal article 389 views 45 downloads
Living with dementia under COVID-19 restrictions: coping and support needs among people with dementia and carers from the IDEAL cohort
Gareth O'Rourke
,
Claire Pentecost
,
Eleanor van den Heuvel
,
Christina Victor
,
Catherine Quinn
,
Alexandra Hillman
,
Rachael Litherland,
Linda Clare
Ageing and Society, Volume: 43, Issue: 10, Pages: 2424 - 2446
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© The Author(s), 2021. Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).
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DOI (Published version): 10.1017/s0144686x21001719
Abstract
Stringent social restrictions imposed during 2020 to counter the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic could significantly affect the wellbeing and quality of life of people with dementia living in the community and their family carers. We explored the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people with dement...
Published in: | Ageing and Society |
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ISSN: | 0144-686X 1469-1779 |
Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
2023
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Online Access: |
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URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60477 |
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Abstract: |
Stringent social restrictions imposed during 2020 to counter the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic could significantly affect the wellbeing and quality of life of people with dementia living in the community and their family carers. We explored the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on people with dementia and family carers in England and considered how negative effects might be mitigated. We conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 11 people with dementia and 11 family carers who were ongoing participants in the IDEAL cohort during the initial ‘lockdown’ period in May and June 2020, and follow-up interviews with five people with dementia and two carers as restrictions were eased in July. We analysed interview data and triangulated the findings with issues raised in dementia-specific online forums. Findings showed some people with dementia were coping well, but others experienced a range of negative impacts, with varying degrees of improvement as restrictions were eased. The need for clear personalised information relating to COVID-19 and the value of support in the form of regular ‘just checking’ phone calls was emphasised. This exceptional situation provides a natural demonstration of how social and psychological resources shape the potential to ‘live well’ with dementia. While some support is recommended for all, a personalised approach to determine needs and coping ability would ensure that further practical and emotional support is targeted effectively. |
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Keywords: |
Dementia, carers, COVID-19, qualitative, interview, living well, social, coping, support |
College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
Funders: |
This report presents independent research funded by the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Older People and Frailty (Policy Research Unit Programme reference number PR-PRU-1217-21502). |
Issue: |
10 |
Start Page: |
2424 |
End Page: |
2446 |