Examining the Impact of COVID-19 on People With Dementia From the Perspective of Family and Friends: Thematic Analysis of Tweets (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is taking a serious toll on people with dementia. Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 context, policymakers and practitioners require timely, evidence-informed research to address the changing needs and challenges of people with dementia and their care partners. OBJECTIVE Using Twitter data, the objective of this study was to examine the COVID-19 impact on people with dementia and their care partners from September 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. METHODS Using the Twint application in Python, we collected 6,243 relevant tweets over a 15-month timeframe. The tweets were divided among eleven coders and analyzed using a six-step thematic analysis process. RESULTS Based on our analysis, three main themes were identified: frustration and structural inequities (e.g., issues of overmedication, restraints, dehydration, weight loss, neglect, ageism, isolation, no physician visits, vaccination challenges, and understaffing in care facilities); despair due to loss (e.g., loss of time, cognitive, psychological, physical decline, and death); and resiliency and hope for the future. CONCLUSIONS As the COVID-19 pandemic persists and new variants emerge, people with dementia and their care partners are facing complex challenges that require timely interventions. More specifically, tackling COVID-19 challenges requires revisiting pandemic policies and protocols to ensure equitable access to health and support services, recognizing the essential role of care partners, and providing financial assistance and resources to help support people with dementia and their care partners in the pandemic. Revaluating COVID-19 policies is critical to mitigating the pandemic’s impact on people with dementia and their care partners. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.