Alzheimer Athens conducted research regarding the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or dementia and on their carers as well. In the paper, which was published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 204 carers completed a self-reported questionnaire regarding the effect of the pandemic since the first lockdown period in Athens, Greece, which started in February and ended in June of 2020. Data came from the day care centres of Alzheimer Athens, the “IASIS” day care centre, and various neurological and psychiatric private offices.
The questions asked, referred to any overall changes noticed in people with MCI/dementia, as well as changes in specific areas such as: physical health, mood, appetite, communication, psychomotor and psychological life. Further questions also looked at the psychological and physical impact on carers.
Reports showed a significant overall decline in people with MCI/dementia; with communication, mood, movement, and compliance to new measures being the domains mostly affected. Results also indicated a significant increase of both the physical and psychological impact on carers. More specifically, 64.7% mentioned a serious increase in their physical burden (“some”, “a lot”), while 80% mentioned a serious increase in their psychological burden (“some”, “a lot”). Lastly, in a question about any support sources available, only 40.3% reported having access to such services during this period, mostly via the day care centres and through online communication.
The effect of the pandemic is significant, with negative results on the daily lives of people with MCI/dementia. In addition, being a carer for a family member or a person with neurodegeneration during the pandemic undoubtedly adds anxiety and stress, and has an additional impact. Further measures to protect and provide support to both carers and people with dementia are needed, concludes Alzheimer Athens.
