The impact of dementia daycare service cessation due to COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed at revealing the caregiving challenges of the caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) during the COVID‐19 pandemic when daycare service was stopped as an infection control measure, and discussed ways to help PwD and their family caregivers to maintain their well‐being in the era of the pandemic. Methods Between April and May 2020, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 152 family caregivers of PwD who were clients of daycare service prior to the pandemic. The survey examined caregivers' stress and challenges faced during daycare service cessation, their perceived needs for continuation of daycare service, and observed changes in functional status of PwD. Regression analyses were performed to explore the associated factors of caregiving stress and preference for continuation of daycare service. Results Family caregivers of PwD experienced greater caregiving stress after cessation of daycare service. Infection was their main challenge in caregiving, and their physical and emotional health was adversely affected by the longer time commitment with PwD under the stay‐home policy. Older age of caregivers, greater emotional and communication problems of PwD, and more time spent with PwD were associated with greater caregiving stress. More than one‐third of the participants preferred the continuation of daycare service during the pandemic. Conclusions Policy makers should consider the well‐being of PwD and their caregivers when planning infection control measures. Daycare service with enhanced infection controlled measures should remain available to PwD during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

New directions in centre‐based aged care in Australia: Responding to changing funding models and the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…The service interruptions during COVID‐19 and their devastating impacts identified in this research have shone a light on how essential the services are for maintaining the health and well‐being of older people with dementia and their carers, and the sustainability of informal care relationships in the community. This is consistent with emerging international evidence that identifies the pervasive impacts of interruptions to centre‐based aged care on older people and carers, 17,18 particularly in the light of broader challenges to the social connectedness, safety, health and well‐being, and service access experienced by older people and their carers during the pandemic 19 . It also identified the potential agility and flexibility of centre‐based services to meet the personal needs of older people and carers, something also identified in international contexts, 20 provided that funding provisions offer adequate flexibility.…”

Coronavirus Disease-2019 in Older People with Cognitive Impairment

“…51 Second, the health situation has impacted indirectly formal and informal caregivers and the health system they rely on. Indeed, care procedures considered nonurgent were suspended temporarily, 52 centers were closed, [53][54][55] and health professionals were sick or had to modify their schedules to cope with their own difficulties; therefore, telemedicine was promoted. 40,56 In the general population, these measures contributed to mental health problems, 57 a decrease in physical activity, and thus an increase in sedentary behavior.…”

“…Most of the time, they have had to cope with increased financial stress while continuing to manage their family and their sick loved one. Indeed, several studies show that the health situation related to COVID-19 caused an increase in caregiver burden and a decrease in their well-being, 33 an increase in caregiver exhaustion, 32 an increase in stress levels 61,62 with an increase in anxiety, 63 particularly about transmitting the infection to their relative, 53 and finally an increase in depressive symptoms. 64 In addition, older caregivers seem to have been the most vulnerable to this increase in stress.…”

“…64 In addition, older caregivers seem to have been the most vulnerable to this increase in stress. 53 Finally, the burden was greater the more advanced the stage of neurocognitive impairment was. 65 To decrease the burden on the caregiver, several researchers have worked on proposing concrete solutions.…”

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

“…More specifically, challenges to service use included reduced or terminated adult day programs, respite services, cognitive rehabilitation therapy, friendly visitor services, senior center programs, and limited knowledge of or access to technology [ 5 - 7 ]. In addition, people with dementia and their family care partners experienced a range of unintended consequences from COVID-19 lockdowns and infection control measures, such as social isolation, loss of informal supports, and care partner fatigue and burnout [ 8 - 11 ].…”