Exploring the Impacts of COVID-19 Public Health Measures on Community-Dwelling People Living With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers: A Longitudinal, Qualitative Study

Abstract

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, community-dwelling people living with dementia and their family caregivers have experienced many challenges. The unanticipated consequences of public health measures have impacted these families in a myriad of ways. In this interpretive policy analysis, which used a longitudinal, qualitative methodology, we purposively recruited 12 families in British Columbia, Canada, to explore the impacts of pandemic public health measures over time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted every 3 months and participants completed diary entries. Twenty-eight interviews and 34 diary entries were thematically analyzed. The findings explore ways that families adopted and adapted to public health measures, loss of supports, both formal and informal, and the subsequent consequences for their mental and physical well-being. Within the ongoing context of the pandemic, as well as potential future wide-spread emergencies, it is imperative that programs and supports are restarted and maintained to avoid further harm to these families.

Changes in depression and anxiety among people with cognitive impairment and dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

“…Some research has already investigated this to an extent; a rapid review of evidence related to the impact of COVID-19 isolation measures on mental health among people with dementia found that most studies identified worsening behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) (28). Some of the research found these results through subjective assessments made by caregivers (29), qualitative interviews of people with dementia and their caregivers (30,31), and across international contexts (32).…”

The Golden Ticket: Gaining In-Person Access to Relatives in Long-Term Care Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Authors SAW, LK (PhD Candidate), HAC and GP are PhD-prepared social gerontologists with experience conducting LTC research with staff, residents and family carers (e.g., Cooke et al, 2022;Puurveen et al, 2018). Authors JB and AB are PhD-prepared nursing faculty who have extensive experience conducting research in LTCHs as well as the impact of COVID-19 on older adults and their family carers (e.g., Baumbusch et al, 2022;Bourbonnais et al, 2023). Previous intersectional research examining the nature and gendered aspects of family caregiving within LTC contexts prompted the current investigation.…”

Depression and anxiety in people with cognitive impairment and dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing

“…Some research has already investigated this to an extent; a rapid review of evidence related to the impact of COVID-19 isolation measures on mental health among people with dementia found that most studies identified worsening behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) [ 33 ]. Some of the research found these results through subjective assessments made by caregivers [ 34 ], qualitative interviews of people with dementia and their caregivers [ 35 , 36 ], and across international contexts [ 37 ].…”