Background Little is known about the actual impact of COVID-19 on caregivers of older people with dementia and resultant collaborations among them to provide continued person-centered care while undertaking infection control measures. In this study, we explored the impact of providing dementia care during COVID-19 on caregivers involved in dementia care. Methods This is an exploratory qualitative case study. The participants were family members living with older people with dementia, care managers, and the medical and long-term care facility staff. Data were collected from 46 caregivers via face-to-face and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The interviews identified 22 themes related to the impact of COVID-19 on different positions of the caregivers involved in dementia care and their collaboration, and we categorized them into six categories. The core themes were “re-acknowledgement of care priorities” and “rebuilding of relationships.” When caregivers’ perceptions were aligned in the decision-making processes regarding care priorities, “reaffirmation of trust” and “strengthening of intimate relationships” emerged as positive changes in their relationships. Furthermore, the differences in the ability of each caregiver to access and select correct and appropriate information about COVID-19, and the extent of infection spread in the region were related to “anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic” and caused a “gap in perception” regarding infection control. Conclusions The present study clarified that the process of aligning the perceptions of caregivers to the objectives and priorities of care for older people with dementia during COVID-19 pandemic strengthened the relationships among caregivers. The findings of this study are useful for caregivers involved in person-centered dementia care.

Background: MCI is an intermediate stage between cognitive impairment status and persons with MCI are at high risk of developing AD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a multicomponent program (aerobic, resistance exercises, cognitive training, music, myofascial release exercises, acupoint stimulation, and oral gymnastics) on the cognitive and physical functions of older adults in community dwellers and it is to clarify which measurement factors are predictive to reverse MCI to normal. Results: In this study, we measured cognitive functions, physical functions, and the diagnosis of MCI. We assessed factors before (pre-test), and after treatment of 12 training sessions (post-test). The participants were divided into two groups (Improve group and the Non-Improve group). The Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the differences between pre-and post-test and revealed significant differences in the UWS (p < 0.05), WM (p < 0.01), SDST (p < 0.01), and MMSE (p < 0.01). Moreover, binomial logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of the Improved group with the GDS-15 (Odds ratio, 0.587; 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI], 0.309-0.791; p = 0.003) and MMSE (Odds ratio, 0.494; 95 % CI, 0.360-0.957, p = 0.033). Conclusion: This study indicated that this program improved physical and cognitive functions in those who were not prone to depression before treatment and suggests that the GDS measurement might be able to predict the intervention effects of a multicomponent program.

Aim:To consider what is necessary to ensure the efficient performance of dementia community support coordinators. Methods: In Akita Prefecture, we conducted a simple questionnaire survey of dementia community support coordinators in 25 municipalities to clarify the current status of their activities and examine what needs to be done to develop their projects more efficiently.Results: It became clear that residents were not aware of the existence of these coordinators, underscoring the need to publicize their existence and activities. The lack of tools to improve the publicʼs understanding of social resources for sharing information on building a support system was also demonstrated. In terms of cooperation, it was found that, despite the establishment of cooperation with IPIST and the medical center for dementia, cooperation with dementia support coordinators was insufficient. Furthermore, we confirmed that support coordinators were not very involved in the creation and activities of dementia care paths. Conclusions: Based on the above findings, we propose five points to support further efficient development. 1. Disseminate information to inform local residents about dementia community support coordinators, 2. Collaborate with dementia support coordinators and the welfare commissioner, 3. Create social resource maps and facilitate their understanding and establish dementia care path activities, 4. Create a work environment where dementia community support coordinators do not have to work concurrently, and 5. Create learning opportunities to improve understanding of the overall dementia policy.

本研究の目的は新型コロナウイルス(COVID-19)感染拡大防止による緊急事態宣言(緊急宣言)が地域在住 高齢者の日常生活変化に与えた影響について明らかにすることである．秋田県内の地域在住高齢者 506 名(2019 年度：332 名，2020 年度：174 名)に対して，通常歩行速度(Usual Walking Speed；UWS) ，握力，National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology Functional Assessment Tool (NCGG-FAT) による認知機能，Geriatrics Depression Scale-15(GDS-15) ，基本チェックリストについて評価した．また緊急宣言後の対象者に対して，COVID-19 感染拡大が日常生活へ与えた影響(交流，外出，運動，睡眠の減少)に関する 5 項目のアンケート調査(COVID-19 アンケート調査)を行った．予想に反し，緊急宣言後が緊急宣言前よりも UWS において有意に高値を示し， 他の項目に関しても有意差は認められなかった．アンケート調査結果と心身機能評価との相関分析の結果， 「睡眠 時間減少の有り」と GDS-15(rs=0.200，p=0.019) ，COVID-19 アンケート調査の該当合計数と BMI(rs=0.282， p=0.

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