Needs of Alzheimer’s Charges’ Caregivers in Poland in the Covid-19 Pandemic—An Observational Study

Abstract

In Poland, 92% of elderly people with dementia are cared for at home from diagnosis until death, and 44% of caregivers provide care on their own, without any support from other people. The aim of this study was to identify the needs, created because of the Covid-19 pandemic, of caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study group consisted of 85 caregivers in the age range from 23 to 78 years and 80 (91.1%) were women. The questionnaire on the life situation of the caregiver and 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were used. High levels of stress were found in 75 of the 85 subjects, representing 88% of the total. The greatest difficulties were identified in health care and in finding additional care for the charge. PSS-10 correlated with the deterioration of illness during Covid-19, changes in daily functioning, and concerns about both the health of the charge and caregiver. The level of stress severity in the caregiver group of charges with mild AD was higher than in the caregiver group of charges with moderate AD. The provision of extra care and professional psychological support for caregivers were identified as the greatest needs.

The Experiences of People with Dementia and Informal Carers Related to the Closure of Social and Medical Services in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

“…Prioritizing reductions in viral transmission and prioritizing care for those severely ill with COVID-19 have left dementia care needs behind. This has negatively affected the mental and social well-being of people with dementia and those who support them [ 6 , 19 , 24 ].…”

“…Consequently, informal carers reported elevated physical and psychological strain. This adverse trend, according to the observations conducted thus far, has become a common experience of informal carers around the world, regardless of the care system operating in a given country [ 1 , 19 , 22 , 35 , 47 , 54 ]. Pandemic-related changes in the caring responsibilities have lowered informal carers’ overall well-being, both mental and physical [ 33 ], causing symptoms such as sleep disturbances, anxiety or depression [ 55 ].…”

“…In the face of these adverse psychological and psychiatric consequences, it is important to note that both people with dementia and informal carers are exposed to increased social isolation regardless of the pandemic restrictions [ 32 , 47 , 64 ]. Ongoing crises only heighten the risk of the negative effects of loneliness, thereby highlighting the importance of social support in dementia care in general [ 19 , 62 , 71 , 72 ].…”

“…Their social involvement is based on contacts with family and neighbors, and on daily activities. During the first wave of the pandemic, the available support options were suspended or significantly reduced [ 18 , 19 ]. Day care facilities were legally suspended [ 20 ] and contacts with relatives, in accordance with sanitary recommendations, were kept to a minimum [ 6 , 21 ].…”

“…For some, the pandemic, which has resulted in spending more time with their relatives, has potentially enriched their relationship [ 30 , 34 ]. Previous studies [ 29 , 32 , 35 ] provided insight into the impacts of pandemics on selected aspects of the psychological functioning of people with dementia and their informal carers, but few related these phenomena directly to the issue of using care services during pandemics [ 36 , 37 ], and the number of studies conducted in Poland was negligible [ 19 ].…”