Public Health Messaging During COVID-19 and its Impact on Family Caregivers’ COVID-19 Knowledge

Abstract

Background: Providing accurate, accessible public health messaging (PHM) is a critical role of public health officials during a pandemic, but family caregivers (FCGs) of people living with dementia (PLWD) have rarely been specifically addressed in PHM. Objective: To examine how FCGs of PLWD access and evaluate the public health messaging in Alberta. Methods: An online survey was conducted with FCGs for PLWD (n=217). Results: Most respondents rated PHM as good or excellent (63.9%), but specific information about how to access caregiving information (69.5%) and what to expect in the future (49.1%) was rated less than good. FCGS also identified how to care for a PLWD during the pandemic (57.5%) as a key information need. Healthcare providers/workers were the least frequently used source of public health information. Almost all FCGs (94.4%) rated their own COVID-19 knowledge as good or excellent. Discussion: Tailored, context-driven PHM for FCGs of PLWD is critically needed. Three key points that summarize the policy relevance and recommendations of the paper 1. Utilize diverse media sources to communicate PHM, including television, radio, and print media in addition to online sources. 2. Tailor information to the needs of specific vulnerable populations such as FCGs of PLWD, including information and advice on topics such as: explaining public health measures to people with dementia and cognitive impairment; accessing respite if the caregiver contracts COVID-19; accessing long term care; and how and when community resources are being adapted/reinstated. 3. Focus on building capacity in FCGs through targeted supports and services to address the heterogeneous needs in the caregiving role.