Care for family carers of people with dementia in municipal communities during the pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Care for family carers of people with dementia in municipal communities during the pandemic: A Qualitative Study Abstract: Background: The availability of support services for family carers of persons with dementia in the municipal community shows deficits due to the Corona pandemic and thus entails a change in the support of carers. Research question: The questions arise, what changes in the care of family carers of people with dementia do those affected perceive, how do actors from the municipal community experience the care situation during the pandemic and to what extent do the perceptions of the groups coincide or differ. Method: The database consists of town hall talks and focus groups from 13 municipal communities in Germany. Participants were family carers and actors from the municipal community. For data analysis, a qualitative content analysis was carried out. Result: Negative changes in the care of caregivers can be seen, for example, in the omission of care services or groups of relatives. Above all, actors perceived positive changes, such as advancing digitalization or increased neighborly help. The perception of changes in the care situation differs in several subcategories between carers and actors. Conclusion: Although large gaps in care have been created by the pandemic, emerging challenges also create new ways for support such as digital groups for family carers. In the future, opportunities need to be created to implement already developed interventions in such a way that the target group can make use of them.