A scoping review of COVID-19 experiences of people living with dementia

Juanita-Dawne R Bacsu,Claire Webster,Megan E O’Connell,Lisa Poole,Saskia Sivananthan,Mary Beth Wighton

doi:10.17269/s41997-021-00500-z

Abstract

ObjectivesCompared with the general population, people living with dementia have been unequivocally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is a paucity of knowledge on the COVID-19 impact on people with dementia and their care partners. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize the existing literature on the COVID-19 experiences of people with dementia and their care partners.MethodsFollowing Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, we searched five electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science) and an online search engine (Google Scholar). Inclusion criteria consisted of English-language articles focusing on the COVID-19 experiences of people with dementia and their care partners.SynthesisTwenty-one articles met our inclusion criteria: six letters to the editor, seven commentaries, and eight original research studies. In the literature, five main themes were identified: (i) care partner fatigue and burnout; (ii) lack of access to services and supports; (iii) worsening neuropsychiatric symptoms and cognitive function; (iv) coping with COVID-19; and (v) the need for more evidence-informed research. Factors such as living alone, having advanced dementia, and the length of confinement were found to exacerbate the impact of COVID-19.ConclusionUrgent action is needed to support people living with dementia and their care partners in the pandemic. With little access to supports and services, people with dementia and their care partners are currently at a point of crisis. Collaboration and more evidence-informed research are critical to reducing mortality and supporting people with dementia during the pandemic.

Highlights

The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19 from the SARSCoV-2 virus) is causing global morbidity and mortality, with a disproportionate burden on people living with dementia
Studies indicate that COVID-19 restrictions and imposed measures of confinement have added significant strain to the pre-existing workload of family care partners of people with dementia (Cohen et al 2020; Vaitheswaran et al 2020)
There is a growing need for more research to address the impact of COVID-19 on people with dementia and their care partners

Summary

Introduction

The current coronavirus disease (COVID-19 from the SARSCoV-2 virus) is causing global morbidity and mortality, with a disproportionate burden on people living with dementia. In response to COVID-19, several countries have imposed social distancing restrictions and lockdown measures in attempts to reduce the spread of the virus (Alzheimer’s Disease International 2020a). These measures have included restrictions on social gatherings, limited mobility outside of the home, and restrictions and/or closure of all non-essential services such as home care services and health clinic access (Brown et al 2020). These ‘protective’ measures are having adverse outcomes on people with dementia and their care partners (Anderson and Parmar 2020; McGhan and McCaughey 2020)

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