How Did the COVID-19 Restrictions Impact People Living With Dementia and Their Informal Carers Within Community and Residential Aged Care Settings in Australia? A Qualitative Study.

Publisher: Sage Publications Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9503761 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1552-549X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10748407 NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Fam Nurs Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Thousand Oaks, CA : Sage Publications, c1995

COVID-19* ; Dementia*; Aged ; Australia ; Caregivers ; Humans ; Qualitative Research

The aim of this study was to explore how formal social support changed after implementation of the COVID-19 public health measures and how these restrictions affected people living with dementia and their informal carers in Australia. Sixteen informal carers and two people living with dementia were interviewed between August and November 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of the pandemic and the impact that the restrictions had on their lives and care. Thematic analysis identified four overarching themes describing (a) prepandemic limitations of the aged care system, (b) the aged care system's response to the COVID-19 restrictions, (c) changes affecting informal carers, and (d) the challenges faced by people living with dementia. The findings highlighted the challenges faced by the Australian aged care system before the pandemic and the additional burden placed on informal carers who supported people living with dementia across residential and home settings during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; dementia; informal carers; social support

Date Created: 20220608 Date Completed: 20220714 Latest Revision: 20220901

20231215

10.1177/10748407221101638

35674356