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The Impact of Social Distancing Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Dementia, Family Carers and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Hanneke J. A. Smaling

    (Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Bram Tilburgs

    (Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Science, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands)

  • Wilco P. Achterberg

    (Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Mandy Visser

    (Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Social distancing measures imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges to the health and wellbeing of people with dementia, family carers, and healthcare professionals. This study investigated the impact of these measures on all involved in the care for people with dementia. For this qualitative study, 20 family carers and 20 healthcare professionals from home care and long-term care (LTC) participated in a semi-structured interview. Interviews were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. For people with dementia, the social distancing measures resulted in a deterioration of physical health. The impact on their emotional state and behaviour depended on the stage of dementia. Family carers experienced difficulty coping with visiting restrictions, anxiety regarding safety, and changes in carer burden. Healthcare professionals had an increased workload, and felt guilty about adhering to restrictive measures. Differences between home care and LTC were reported (i.e., societal initiatives focussed on LTC, scarcity of activities for community-dwelling people with dementia, use of personal protective equipment more intrusive for home care). The social distancing measures had a negative impact on persons with dementia, their family carers, and healthcare professionals. More attention is needed for community-dwelling people with dementia and family carers in times of social isolation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanneke J. A. Smaling & Bram Tilburgs & Wilco P. Achterberg & Mandy Visser, 2022. "The Impact of Social Distancing Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on People with Dementia, Family Carers and Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:1:p:519-:d:716999
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Silvia Gonella & Paola Di Giulio & Alexandra Antal & Nicola Cornally & Peter Martin & Sara Campagna & Valerio Dimonte, 2022. "Challenges Experienced by Italian Nursing Home Staff in End-of-Life Conversations with Family Caregivers during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Descriptive Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Agnieszka Markiewicz-Gospodarek & Aleksandra Górska & Renata Markiewicz & Zuzanna Chilimoniuk & Marcin Czeczelewski & Jacek Baj & Ryszard Maciejewski & Jolanta Masiak, 2022. "The Relationship between Mental Disorders and the COVID-19 Pandemic—Course, Risk Factors, and Potential Consequences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Suzie Noten & Annerieke Stoop & Jasper De Witte & Elleke Landeweer & Floor Vinckers & Nina Hovenga & Leonieke C. van Boekel & Katrien G. Luijkx, 2022. "“Precious Time Together Was Taken Away”: Impact of COVID-19 Restrictive Measures on Social Needs and Loneliness from the Perspective of Residents of Nursing Homes, Close Relatives, and Volunteers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Marleen D. W. Dohmen & Charlotte van den Eijnde & Christina L. E. Thielman & Jolanda Lindenberg & Johanna M. Huijg & Tineke A. Abma, 2022. "Good Care during COVID-19: A Narrative Approach to Care Home Staff’s Experiences of the Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Marjolein Thijssen & Maud J. L. Graff & Monique A. S. Lexis & Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden & Kate Radford & Pip A. Logan & Ramon Daniels & Wietske Kuijer-Siebelink, 2023. "Collaboration for Developing and Sustaining Community Dementia-Friendly Initiatives: A Realist Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-24, February.

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