The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of community- dwelling people with dementia and informal carers in the context of using the social and medical services – a qualitative study

Collapse authors list.
Maćkowiak, Maria, Senczyszyn, Adrianna, Lion, Katarzyna ORCID: 0000-0002-3699-6896, Trypka, Elżbieta, Małecka, Monika, Ciułkowicz, Marta, Mazurek, Justyna, Świderska, Roksana, Giebel, Clarissa ORCID: 0000-0002-0746-0566, Gabbay, Mark ORCID: 0000-0002-0126-8485 et al (show 2 more authors) , Rymaszewska, Joanna and Szcześniak, Dorota (2021) The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of community- dwelling people with dementia and informal carers in the context of using the social and medical services – a qualitative study [Preprint]

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

PDF The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of community- dwelling people with dementia and informal carers in the context of using .pdf - Submitted version Download (478kB) | Preview

Abstract

<h4>Background: </h4> Older people with dementia are particularly at risk of COVID-19, whilst still little is known about the indirect impact of the Pandemic on the lives of those living with and caring for someone with dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the Pandemic on the lives of people with dementia and their informal carers in the context of using social and medical services in Poland. <h4>Methods:</h4> A qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with people with dementia (n = 5) and informal carers (n = 21) was performed. Interviews were collected between June and August 2020 via phone after the first wave of COVID-19 in Poland. Data were analysed using NVivo software by four team members. <h4>Results:</h4> Three overarching themes emerged: (1) Care re-organization; (2) Psychological responses; (3) Emerging needs. The factor underlying all these elements were a reliance on other people. Regardless of the type of support (informal or formal), a sense of presence of others and maintaining mutual contacts displayed as crucial elements influencing the well-being of people with dementia and informal carers. <h4>Conclusions:</h4> Social support and engagement are vital to the ongoing health and wellbeing of people living with dementia and their informal carers. Services need sustaining to provide ongoing provision to those living with dementia to reach pre-pandemic levels, if not better. Within the post-pandemic environment people with dementia and their informal carers need reassurance that they can rely on external institutional and social support able to meet their need.

Item Type:	Preprint
Uncontrolled Keywords:	4203 Health Services and Systems, 4205 Nursing, 42 Health Sciences, Clinical Research, Behavioral and Social Science, Coronaviruses, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Acquired Cognitive Impairment, Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease including Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD), Brain Disorders, Alzheimer's Disease, Neurosciences, Neurodegenerative, Social Determinants of Health, Aging, Infectious Diseases, Coronaviruses Disparities and At-Risk Populations, 7.1 Individual care needs, Neurological, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	31 Jan 2023 16:36
Last Modified:	28 Aug 2026 01:55
DOI:	10.21203/rs.3.rs-415217/v1
Open Access URL:	https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-415217/v...
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3168037
Disclaimer:	The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate.