Virtual day center for people with dementia and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic suspended face-to-face assistance offered by community spaces, such as day centers (DCs). People with dementia (PwD) and their families were faced with the risks posed by social detachment and suspension of treatments. Objective: This study aimed to present a virtual day center (VDC) program offered as a preventive strategy to reduce the damage caused by social isolation and interruption of treatment imposed by the pandemic. Methods: The experience report, describing the feasibility of a VDC program, offered to 26 PwD and their caregivers, during the first year of the pandemic. The VDC held individual and group meetings with PwD and their families and psychoeducational support groups for caregivers. Results: The attendance rate in group activities was 80%, and that in the caregiver group was 68%, showing a good virtual interaction. Throughout the year, three PwD interrupted the service due to difficulties of the caregivers to reconcile the schedules of the activities with their professional commitments and the absence of a support network, three others died, and two were institutionalized. PwD remained physically, socially, and cognitively active through daily virtual activities. Guidance and support for caregivers contributed to the organization of routines and adaptation to the isolation and maintenance of the bond. Family meetings made it possible to mediate conflicts and expand the support network. Conclusions: VDC is a promising modality to assist the needs and demands of PwD and their caregivers. VDC can contribute to the expansion of this intervention to individuals and families who do not have access to face-to-face treatment.

Online interventions and virtual day centres for young people who use drugs: potential for harm reduction?

“…Such a platform thus offers young people who have not previously been in contact with the organisation to get involved in a way that is easier for them, and to enter other harm reduction services at a later stage. VDCs proved to be of great importance during the COVID-19 epidemic [ 27 ], as they provided access to assistance when it was no longer physically possible. Even after the epidemic, the DrogArt VDC allowed young people who were suited to this approach of ‘hanging out’, participating in activities and having access to information and psychosocial support, as well as one-to-one chats with professionals.…”

On-line based interventions supporting cognitive functioning of the elderly during COVID-19 pandemic

“…Ze względu na konieczność prowadzenia tychże zajęć w formie zdalnej wiele osób zostało zmuszonych do zaadoptowania się do nowego środowiska. Ta zmiana miała szczególnie pozytywne skutki w przypadku osób, które już w okresie przedpandemicznym dysponowały większymi kompetencjami cyfrowymi [17][18][19][20][21]. Jednostki, które do czasu "lockdownu" miały ograniczone…”

“…Istotne jest jednak to, iż nawet takie osoby, pomimo frustracji, doceniały istnienie zdalnego wsparcia. Niezależnie od formy -synchronicznych lub asynchronicznych spotkań -seniorzy zarówno pozytywnie oceniali same zajęcia, jak i zauważali u siebie subiektywną poprawę funkcjonowania poznawczego [17,18,20]. W pracy zdalnej jednym z najistotniejszych czynników (oprócz samego "bycia") okazało się bieżące dostosowywanie zadań oraz cykliczność spotkań, która pozwalała tworzyć nową strukturę dnia (tj.…”

“…Pozwoliłoby to dodatkowo na lepsze dostosowywanie proponowanych form oddziaływań do potrzeb grup uczestniczących w oddziaływaniach prokognitywnych. Źródło: opracowanie własne na podstawie [17][18][19][20][21].…”