Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic Had No Discernable Impact on Risk of Elder Abuse and Neglect Among Dementia Family Caregivers: A Daily Diary Study

Abstract

There is widespread concern that elder abuse and neglect (EAN) incidents increased during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic due in part to increases in risk factors. Initial reports relying on administrative systems such as adult protective services records produced mixed results regarding whether or not there was a change in EAN incidents. Using data from an ongoing longitudinal study on EAN in dementia family caregiving that started before the pandemic, we assessed the hypothesis that the pandemic is related to a change in probability of EAN and EAN protective factors. Family caregivers to persons with dementia completed two waves of 21 daily diaries, 6-months apart, assessing their daily use of EAN behaviors. The first group ( n = 32) completed their first wave before the pandemic and their second wave during the pandemic. The second group ( n = 32) completed both waves during the pandemic. For this cohort, the generalized linear mixed logistic model results showed inconsistent associations between the onset of COVID-19 and the probability of a caregiver engaging in elder abuse or neglect behaviors. In terms of protective factors, the use of formal services was not significantly impacted by COVID-19; however, the likelihood of receiving informal support from family and friends increased significantly during the pandemic period. Dementia family caregivers were not likely impacted negatively by initial pandemic restrictions, such as shelter-in-place orders, as anticipated. These findings contribute to our understanding of how distal, disruptive processes may influence more proximal caregiver stresses and the likelihood of EAN. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10896-022-00392-8.

2023 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“…Studies have shown that family caregivers who were able to engage in more direct phone and email contact with relatives in long‐term care residences during the COVID‐19 lockdowns indicated greater emotional well‐being for themselves and their relatives, whereas relying on residential care staff to engage in communication resulted in lower perceived well‐being among family caregivers and their relatives 619 . Other studies suggested that some dementia family caregivers adjusted during the pandemic by relying more heavily on other sources of family/unpaid help as well as technologies to maintain social connection with relatives 620,621 . In a study of dementia caregivers of relatives living in nursing homes or similar residential settings, caregivers indicated a number of challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic, including severely limited contact with relatives due to visitation restrictions, a lack of transparent information and communication from care residences, fears of relatives dying alone and concerns about overburdened staff at care residences 614 .…”

“…619 Other studies suggested that some dementia family caregivers adjusted during the pandemic by relying more heavily on other sources of family/unpaid help as well as technologies to maintain social connection with relatives. 620,621 In a study of dementia caregivers of relatives living in nursing homes or similar residential settings, caregivers indicated a number of challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including severely limited contact with relatives due to visitation restrictions, a lack of transparent information and communication from care residences, fears of relatives dying alone and concerns about overburdened staff at care residences. 614 In addition, caregivers highlighted a number of resources and practices that were helpful during COVID-19, including effective infection control measures adopted by care residences, robust communication with staff, and the need for creativity when remaining socially connected with relatives in nursing homes or similar residential settings.…”

2024 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“…Studies have shown that family caregivers who were able to engage in more direct phone and email contact with relatives in long‐term care residences during COVID‐19 lockdowns indicated greater emotional well‐being for themselves and their relatives, whereas relying on residential care staff to engage in communication resulted in lower perceived well‐being among family caregivers and their relatives 677 . Other studies suggested that some dementia family caregivers adjusted during the pandemic by relying more heavily on other sources of family/unpaid help as well as technologies to maintain social connection with relatives 678–681 . In studies of dementia caregivers of relatives living in nursing homes or similar residential settings, caregivers indicated a number of challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic, including severely limited contact with relatives due to visitation restrictions, a lack of transparent information and communication from care residences, fears of relatives dying alone and concerns about overburdened staff at care residences 671,682 .…”

“… 677 Other studies suggested that some dementia family caregivers adjusted during the pandemic by relying more heavily on other sources of family/unpaid help as well as technologies to maintain social connection with relatives. 678 , 679 , 680 , 681 In studies of dementia caregivers of relatives living in nursing homes or similar residential settings, caregivers indicated a number of challenges during the COVID‐19 pandemic, including severely limited contact with relatives due to visitation restrictions, a lack of transparent information and communication from care residences, fears of relatives dying alone and concerns about overburdened staff at care residences. 671 , 682 In addition, caregivers highlighted a number of resources and practices that were helpful during COVID‐19, including effective infection control measures adopted by care residences, robust communication with staff, and the need for creativity when remaining socially connected with relatives in nursing homes or similar residential settings.…”