Background: The impact of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is deteriorating as time passes and the virus keeps spreading, with people with dementia and their caregivers being affected significantly.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of prolonged isolation because of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with dementia and their caregivers.
Methods: Caregivers answered online questions regarding their own physical and psychological burden, and of the person they take care of. Participants were mostly members of online seminars of the Athens Alzheimer's Association. Questions referred to their own burden, the overall decline of the persons they take care of, and changes in specific domains as well. Further, participants were asked about any changes between the two major lockdown periods. Analysis was performed including the total sample and then, by three different stages of dementia.
Results: A total of 339 caregivers took part in the study. Results indicated significant decline, both in an overall aspect of the people with dementia, and in specific domains (mostly communication and mood). Regarding the caregivers, they reported having significantly increased physical and psychological burden, and also, noticing an overall change between the two lockdown periods in their own burden. Analysis by dementia-stage group indicated that significant decline occurred both in the middle-stage and the late-stage group.
Conclusion: An urgency for further support of both the people with neurodegenerative disorders and their caregivers is needed. Collaboration among care workers, online programs, governmental support, and day-care centers should be planned to ensure continuity of care for those in need during the pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; Caregivers; dementia.