Impact of Social Isolation on People with Dementia and Their Family Caregivers

Abstract

Background: People with dementia and their family caregivers may face a great burden through social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be manifested as various behavioral and clinical symptoms. Objective: To investigate the impacts of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with dementia and their family caregivers. Methods: Two semi-structured questionnaires were applied via telephone to family caregivers of people diagnosed with dementia in three cities in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, in order to assess clinical and behavioral changes in people with dementia and in their caregivers. Results: In general, 321 interviews were conducted. A significant decline in memory function has been reported among 53.0%of people with dementia. In addition, 31.2%of individuals with dementia felt sadder and 37.4%had increased anxiety symptoms. These symptoms of anxiety were greater in individuals with mild to moderate dementia, while symptoms of agitation were greater in individuals with severe dementia. Moreover, compulsive-obsessive behavior, hallucinations, increased forgetfulness, altered appetite, and increased difficulty in activities of daily living were reported more frequently among individuals with moderate to severe dementia. Caregivers reported feeling more tired and overwhelmed during this period and these symptoms were also influenced by the severity of dementia. Conclusion: Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a series of negative behavioral repercussions, both for people with dementia and for their family caregivers in these three South American countries.

Psychological Well-Being of Older Adults With Cognitive Deterioration During Quarantine: Preliminary Results From the GeroCovid Initiative

“…Similarly, people living with cognitive impairment are particularly subjected to the effects of social isolation that negatively impact their cognitive and affective well-being ( 29 ). The pandemic seems thus to have done nothing but worsen an already existing framework of frailty typical of this population ( 30 , 31 ). Interestingly, in our study this happens in the most cognitively impaired individuals that might be considered as already so compromised that social isolation cannot hit them furtherly.…”

Dementia and COVID-19 in Chile, New Zealand and Germany: A Research Agenda for Cross-Country Learning for Resilience in Health Care Systems

“…Emerging evidence describes the effects of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on people with dementia living in the community. One study conducted in three South American countries (including in Chile) found a significant decline in memory function (among 53% of people with dementia) as well as increased levels of sadness (31%) and anxiety (37%), with family caregivers feeling more tired and overwhelmed [11]. Therefore, those living with dementia are considered amongst the most vulnerable [3].…”

“…This, in turn, could substantially increase the incidence for neurodegenerative diseases including dementia [8]. The impact of COVID-19 on dementia and dementia services is likely to be attributable to different causes including the impact of lockdowns and social isolation on the physical and psychosocial health of elderly people or people living with dementia [9][10][11]. Additionally, neurologic manifestations associated with COVID-19 [12] could represent an additional burden for dementia services, although the long-term consequences are unknown, and more studies are needed [13].…”

Editorial: Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Care for Neurological Conditions

“…In addition, the pandemic has impacted the management of patients with neurological disorders, with changes in the management of relapses, usual follow-up, diagnostic procedures, implementation or generalization of telemedicine, etc. Lockdown and social isolation were also very harmful in patients with neurological disorders ( 2 ). Furthermore, the treatment of neurological emergencies, such as stroke, was also compromised because of resource re-allocation during the emergency, and the fear of patients to attend the hospital.…”