The POLAR project (Psychosocial effects of COVID-19 in Alzheimer's disease) is a research project of Alzheimer Center Amsterdam of Amsterdam UMC, Pharos, and Alzheimer Nederland, with the aim of making people with dementia more resilient to the consequences of the COVID-19 measures by developing applicable information. A team of researchers working on this project has completed a study on "Psychosocial Effects of COVID-19 Measures on (Pre-)Dementia Patients During Second Lockdown" which was published online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD) on 13 January 2022. The COVID-19 pandemic poses enormous social challenges. People with cognitive impairments (problems with, for example, memory and concentration) and dementia are doubly affected by the pandemic.
On the one hand, they have a direct risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, and on the other hand, the restrictive measures hit them extra hard. As a result of disrupted formal care, such as home care, informal carers and supporters were heavily impacted too. The new study showed, however, that people with dementia and their loved ones have adapted to the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown. They reported fewer psychosocial problems, such as anxiety, during the second lockdown. They also experienced more social support compared to the first lockdown. Finally, the researchers found an important protective factor against negative feelings during the lockdown. Patients and loved ones who experienced support from family and friends reported fewer negative feelings, such as loneliness and sadness.
