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210 - Are visits allowed? The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care home visitation and care delivery in the UK
- Clarissa Giebel, Kerry Hanna, Jacqueline Cannon, Hilary Tetlow, Paul Marlow, Justine Shenton, Stephen Mason, Manoj Rajagopal, Mark Gabbay
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- Journal:
- International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 33 / Issue S1 / October 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 November 2021, pp. 12-13
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Background:
COVID-19 has caused the sudden closure of care homes to the outside world, to stem the virus from infecting some of the most vulnerable groups of people – older adults residing in care homes. With very little knowledge to date, we aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on care provision and visits in care homes from staff and family members’ perspectives.
Methods:Care home staff and family carers of people living with dementia (PLWD) across the UK were recruited via convenience sampling and participated via telephone or Zoom. Participants took part in a semi-structured remote interview. Baseline data were collected between October and November 2020, and follow-up interviews were collected throughout March 2021. Anonymised transcripts were analysed separately by two research team members using thematic analysis, with codes discussed and themes generated jointly, supported by research team input.
Results:42 participants (26 family carers and 16 care home staff) took part in the baseline interviews, and 20 purposefully sampled participants (11 family carers and 9 care home staff) were followed up. Prior to vaccination roll out in the UK, at baseline, family carers expressed concern about a lack of clear guidance throughout the pandemic, with care homes delivering care differently and disparities noted in the levels and types of visiting allowed for family members. Lack of communication between care homes and family members, but also government and care homes, led to family carers feeling excluded and concerned about the well-being of their relative. Data on follow-up interviews are still being analysed.
Conclusions:This is the first empirical evidence to show how the pandemic has caused severe difficulties in providing adequate care for care home residents, with not only residents, but also care home staff and family carers being negatively affected. Follow-up data will shed light onto the impact of vaccination and eased visitation rights put in place since March 2021 on care delivery and connections between family carers and residents.
Social health of people with dementia during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
- Marta Lenart, Maria Mackowiak, Adrianna Senczyszyn, Dorota Szczesniak, Clarissa Giebel, Rabih Chattat, Mark Gabbay, Katarzyna Lion, Wendy Moyle, Giovanni Ottoboni, Joanna Rymaszewska, Hilary Tetlow, Elzbieta Trypka, Marco Valente, Ilaria Chirico, Monica Cations
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- Journal:
- International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 33 / Issue S1 / October 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 November 2021, pp. 24-25
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Background:
Limited access to medical and social services during the coronavirus outbreak has contributed to the exclusion of vulnerable populations, such as people with dementia and older adults. These limitations and the resulting social isolation have highlighted the importance of social relationships and their relationship to the mental health of these people. In the context of dementia, ‘social health’ (SH) can be defined as the role of social abilities for achieving a dynamic balance between opportunities and limitations. The concept encompasses the capacity and independency of an individual to participate in social activities alongside the influences of the surrounding social network.
Methods:Using a qualitative and quantitative approach, we will present social health and its determinants of people with dementia related to social care service closures and self-isolation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We present an analysis of the survey data from the cross-country population- based study and the semi-structured telephone interviews with people with and without dementia from Poland, UK, Australia and Italy aged 65 and over.
Results:Measuring the Social Health Index in relation to experiencing self-isolation and changes in the use of services before and during the pandemic among the people with dementia, allow us to identify the level of SH and its determinants. Also, the qualitative results revealed the indirect consequences of the pandemic-related restrictions in the access to social care service and social isolation. Reduction of social support was significantly related to deficits in social health and well-being.
Conclusions:Our results highlight the emerging impact of health the current global epidemiological situation upon social health, with a particular focus on those affected by social disadvantage and isolation.
The use of technology by people with dementia and informal carers during COVID-19: a cross-country comparison
- Ilaria Chirico, Clarissa Giebel, Katarzyna Lion, Maria Mackowiak, Monica Cations, Rabih Chattat, Mark Gabbay, Wendy Moyle, Alessandro Pappadà, Joanna Rymaszewska, Adrianna Senczyszyn, Dorota Szczesniak, Hilary Tetlow, Elzbieta Trypka, Marco Valente, Giovanni Ottoboni
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- Journal:
- International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 33 / Issue S1 / October 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 November 2021, pp. 25-26
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Background:
Social distancing rules and the closure of services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have strongly impacted the physical and mental health of people with dementia. Digital technologies can represent an effective means to compensate for the distress associated with social distancing rules and the decreased use of in-person services. More specifically, technologies such as smartphones, tablets, and smart home systems can minimize the negative effects of social distancing and isolation, and the pressure on health and care systems. Indeed, they can provide a continuity of care and social connectedness, while decreasing exposure to risk. However, barriers such as digital literacy and lower income households can impede the access and use of digital technologies. The aim of this international study was to compare the use of technology by people with dementia from different care settings, and their informal carers across four countries (Italy, UK, Australia, and Poland).
Methods:People with dementia and informal carers were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Verbatim transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using inductive thematic analysis.
Results:A total of 141 people with dementia and carers (47 in Italy; 50 in the UK; 18 in Australia; 26 in Poland) were interviewed. The analysis identified three overarching themes: 1) different uses of technology (three subthemes); 2) benefits of technology (three subthemes); 3) limitations of technology (three subthemes). Results show that calls, video calls, and group-chats were effectively used across countries to guarantee the continuity of relationships with professionals, families, and small groups of peers. Telemedicine was used with varying levels of satisfaction. Furthermore, the benefits experienced by carers exceeded those for people with dementia. Similar barriers were reported across countries, and were strictly associated with dementia deficits, low level digital literacy, and the need for carer’s supervision.
Conclusions:These international findings highlight the importance to maximise the benefits related to the use of technology according to people with dementia’s impairment and care context. Moreover, it should be complementary to in-person care which should be provided, at least to some extent, even during pandemic times.
Amplifying dementia as a global public health problem: A cross-country comparison of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic
- Clarissa Giebel, Katarzyna Lion, Maria Mackowiak, Rabih Chattat, PN Suresh Kumar, Monica Cations, Mark Gabbay, Wendy Moyle, Giovanni Ottoboni, Joanna Rymaszewska, Adrianna Senczyszyn, Dorota Szczesniak, Hilary Tetlow, Elzbieta Trypka, Marco Valente, Ilaria Chirico
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- Journal:
- International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 33 / Issue S1 / October 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 November 2021, pp. 23-24
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Background:
Emerging evidence describes impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic upon people living with dementia and their informal carers, however without evidence-based global comparisons to date. The aim of this international study was to explore and compare the impact of COVID-19 and associated public health restrictions on the lives of people living with dementia and informal carers and access to dementia care across five countries.
Methods:People with dementia and informal carers from the UK, Australia, Italy, India, and Poland participated in remote semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked about their experiences of the pandemic and how restrictions have impacted on their lives and care. Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using thematic analysis, then combined across sites.
Results:Fifteen people living with dementia and 111 informal carers participated across the five countries. Four themes emerged: (1) Limited access and support; (2) Technology and issues accessing remote support; (3) Emotional impact; and (4) Decline of cognitive and physical health reported by carers. Whilst variations were noted, the pandemic has indirectly affected people with dementia and carers across all five countries. The pandemic removed access to social support services and thus increased carer burden. Remote services were not always provided and were limited in benefit and usability for those with dementia. Carers frequently described noticeably deteriorating cognitive and physical health in people with dementia.
Conclusions:The pandemic has amplified dementia as a global public health problem, and both people affected by the condition ad their carers need support to better access vital support services to live well. This is even more important with emerging new waves and new variants of the virus affecting different countries, in our globally connected world.