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The purpose of this study was to systematically examine the association between dementia and mortality among older adults with COVID-19. To do so, we conducted a search of 7 databases for relevant full-text articles. A cohort study and case-control study were included. A meta-analysis was performed to synthesize the pooled odds ratio with a random-effects model. We identified studies that reported mortality among older adults with dementia and non-dementia who have COVID-19. The pooled mortality rates of dementia and non-dementia older adults infected with COVID-19 were 39% (95% CI: 0.23 – 0.54%, I 2 = 83.48%) and 20% (95% CI: 0.16 – 0.25%, I 2 = 83.48%), respectively. Overall, dementia was the main factor influencing poor health outcomes and high rates of mortality in older adults with COVID-19 infection (odds ratio 2.96; 95% CI 2.00 – 4.38, I 2 = 29.7%), respectively. Our results show that older adults with dementia with COVID-19 infection have a higher risk of mortality compared with older adults without dementia. This current study further highlights the need to provide focused care to the older adults with dementia or cognitive impairment who have COVID-19.

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The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has caused the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, continues to spread rapidly worldwide and is associated with high rates of mortality among older adults, those with comorbidities, and those in poor physiological states. This paper aimed to systematically identify the impact of frailty on overall mortality among older adults with COVID-19. We conducted a systematic review of the literature indexed in 4 databases. A random-effects model with inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis using the odds ratio was used to study the association of frailty levels with clinical outcomes among older adults with COVID-19. Heterogeneity was measured using the I 2 statistic and Egger's test. We identified 22 studies that met our inclusion criteria, including 924,520 total patients. Overall, frailty among older adults was associated with high rates of COVID-19-related mortality compared with non-frail older adults (OR [odds ratio]:5.76; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.85–8.61, I 2 : 40.5%). Our results show that physical limitations, such as those associated with frailty among older adults, are associated with higher rates of COVID-19-related mortality.

Purpose Interventions delivered using telehealth modalities are becoming standard practice with patient populations around the world, partly because of innovation necessitated by the COVID‐19 pandemic and partly due to improved infrastructure and comfort of providers, patients, and families, through technology. Though increasingly utilized, the effectiveness of telehealth interventions with families with dementia remains unclear. This gives rise to the need for investigation to develop telehealth interventions that are evidence based and not merely convenient tools. This current study is designed to systematically examine the impact and effectiveness of telehealth‐delivered psychoeducational and behavioral interventions among persons with dementia and their caregivers. Design The design combines systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods A total of eight databases were electronically accessed and searched as of November 16, 2021. Experimental studies identifying the results of telehealth interventions for persons with dementia and associated caregivers published in English have been reviewed in this study. Standardized mean differences (SMD) offering 95% confidence intervals (CI) were developed to pool the effect size using a random effects model (in this case, Stata 16.0). The Revised Cochrane Risk‐of‐Bias Tool for Randomized Trials (RoB‐2) was used to analyze the study's methodological soundness. Findings Nineteen cases met the eligibility criteria (including 1379 persons with dementia and 1339 caregivers). Overall, telehealth interventions demonstrated effects in the expected directions on depression (SMD −0.63; 95% degree of confidence intervals (CI) −0.88 to −0.38, p < 0.001); and caregivers' perceived competency (SMD 0.27; 95% CI −0.05 to 0.50, p = 0.02). There were, however, no statistically significant effects observed on cognitive function or multiple aspects of quality of life for subjects. Conclusions Telehealth interventions appear to effect a reduction in depression among persons diagnosed with dementia while improving the perceived competency of caregivers. Clinical Relevance The study's results could be used as evidence of the effectiveness of using telehealth for persons with dementia and their caregivers, including contextualizing where they are used (i.e., long‐term care facilities, private homes, etc.), understanding the mechanisms in play (including intervention delivery and systems), and isolating and identifying mediating influences.