Dementia care and COVID-19 pandemic: a necessary digital revolution

Cuffaro, Luca; Lorenzo, Francesco Di; Bonavita, Simona; Tedeschi, Gioacchino; Leocani, Letizia; Lavorgna, Luigi

doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04512-4

Cited by 161 publications

(152 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Multidisciplinary teams, as well as a digital revolution are urgent need. Responding to this need, the American Academy of Neurology has also developed a guidance for clinicians and practices to implement telemedicine services amid the COVID-19 crisis [51,52]. Cuffaro et al [52] recently suggest that telemedicine and digital technology devices, including smartphones can be really helpful in remote monitoring and care of people with Dementia.…”

Section: Modification Of the Neurological Disease And Care Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and neurological disorders: are neurodegenerative or neuroimmunological diseases more vulnerable?

2020

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Neurological disorders and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are two conditions with a recent well-documented association. Intriguing evidences showed that COVID-19 infection can modify clinical spectrum of manifested neurological disorders but also it plays a crucial role in the development of future diseases as long-tem consequences. In this viewpoint review, we aimed to assess the vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection and development of COVID-19 among neurological disorders. With this in mind, we tested the hypothesis that age rather than neuropathology itself could be decisive in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, whereas neuropathology rather than age may be critical in neuroimmunological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis. Highlighting the role of potential susceptibility or protection factors from this disastrous infection, we also stratify the risk for future neurodegeneration.

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Section: Modification Of the Neurological Disease And Care Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 and neurological disorders: are neurodegenerative or neuroimmunological diseases more vulnerable?

2020

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“…AT helps carers manage their stress and anxiety as well as making their caring role easier, this could explain why those carers who felt extremely satis ed with the AT had better MCS scores and the reason for using the AT for reassurance (safety, communication) might be more important for carer quality of life. The amount of informal care provided to older people with disabilities in England is unlikely to keep pace with demand [6], this disconnect has been sharply highlighted in restrictions and increased reliance on technology brought about by the covid-19 lockdown [38][39][40]. For dementia care, as this study shows, AT may help bridge this gap by reducing the need for physical contact based informal care or by improving the e ciency of this care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Carers’ Experiences of Assistive Technology Use in Dementia Care: A Cross Sectional Survey

Sriram

Jenkinson

Peters

2020

Preprint

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BackgroundAssistive Technology (AT) supports persons with dementia and their carers (family, friends and neighbours), yet little is known about experiences and the impact of AT on carers. We report on an exploratory survey that examined the types, uses, costs and impact of AT on carers as well as their quality of life.MethodsA cross-sectional survey using the Carers Assistive Technology Experience Questionnaire collected data from carers in the UK, who used at least one AT in the previous year and provided more than 10 hours of care for a person with dementia, living at home. Carers completed the questionnaire online or on paper and information on AT, socio-demographic details, and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) data were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to report results and draw conclusions. ResultsData from 201 carers was analysed. Smartphones and tablet computers were the most frequently used AT. AT were used predominantly for safety, communication, and reminders. Carers usually make decisions on buying and continued use of AT. Multiple AT devices were used in the care of persons with dementia and number of AT used was associated with perceived satisfaction. Satisfaction with AT was not related to age, living arrangements and relationship of carers. From the SF-12, Mean Physical Component Score was 49.19 (95%CI- 47.75 to 50.63) and Mental Component Score was 45.37 (95%CI- 43.93 to 46.80). Women, carers in the 46-65 age group and carers who were not extremely satisfied with AT had lower MCS scores. Carers who lived with the person with dementia and older carers had lower PCS scores. ConclusionsCarers report that AT has a beneficial impact. Carers use multiple ATs, perceive AT to be satisfactory and recommend AT use to others. To support carers, we recommend establishment of centrally funded information sources and a loan store for AT. Further research on incremental addition of AT and changes to formal/paid care because of using AT should be undertaken. Practitioners, academics, manufactures and policy makers should consider the experiences of carers in research, development and use of AT to facilitate improved community living of people with dementia.

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“…It is well known that all chronic neurological conditions require regular and punctual follow-ups; therefore, it has been challenging to take care of outpatients, especially via telemedicine. Importantly, telemedicine visits might be complicated for doctors and patients not used to them, hampering the quality of the visit outcome: indeed, we have to take in account that most of neurological patients are aged and could not be familiar with modern technologies and some of them have cognitive impairment [9,10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Impact on Neurology Training Program in Italy

Francesco

Ercoli

Cuffaro

et al. 2020

Preprint

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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on clinical activity of all hospitals, including the ones involved in training of residents. In addition, neurology residents underwent substantial modifications of their training program.Aim of our investigation was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the educational activities of Italian neurology residents through an online questionnaire delivered to neurology residents.The results obtained showed that almost 30% of the respondents were redistributed to COVID-19 units. Neurology departments underwent substantial modifications of their organization influencing clinical educational activities; lessons and seminars were rescheduled online and research protocols were stopped and transferred to remote working, when feasible. There was a relevant use of telemedicine approach even if most of the respondents had never been trained before. Some of the changes had a North-South gradient, following the epidemiology of the pandemic.The data obtained from our survey highlight those points to address to be prepared for possible future emergencies.

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Dementia care and COVID-19 pandemic: a necessary digital revolution

Cited by 161 publications

References 12 publications

COVID-19 and neurological disorders: are neurodegenerative or neuroimmunological diseases more vulnerable?

COVID-19 and neurological disorders: are neurodegenerative or neuroimmunological diseases more vulnerable?

Carers’ Experiences of Assistive Technology Use in Dementia Care: A Cross Sectional Survey

COVID-19 Impact on Neurology Training Program in Italy

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