IMPACT OF CAREGIVING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: COMPARISON BETWEEN DEMENTIA AND NONDEMENTIA CAREGIVERS BY RACE

Abstract

Abstract Despite evidence of increased caregiving intensity, stress, and burden during the COVID-19 crisis and clear racial disparities in COVID-19, there is a lack of research on the impact of dementia (vs. non-dementia) care provision on caregivers’ (CGs) quality of life by race. The current study used the National Health and Aging Trends Study COVID-19 Family Members and Friends data (N=1,462, 15% Black and 85% Non-Hispanic White CGs) to explore differences in primary stressors (changes in the provision of help with ADL and IADL tasks and emotional support) by dementia care and race during COVID-19. Most respondents were adult children. Dementia CGs in particular reported increases in stressors (ADL and IADL provision) during the pandemic. Black dementia CGs reported significantly more provision of help with ADL tasks before and after the COVID-19 onset and a significantly higher level of emotional support to their care recipients compared with the other three groups (Black non-dementia, White dementia, and White non-dementia CGs). Black dementia CGs also reported the highest care burden and worst psychological well-being and self-rated health during COVID-19. Findings revealed significant differences in the magnitude and nature of the changes in CG help provision before and amidst the pandemic, by race and dementia care status. Future studies should examine the longitudinal impact of the pandemic on the well-being of CGs from other racial and ethnic minority groups.