Impact of COVID-19 related social support service closures on people with dementia and unpaid carers: a qualitative study (16 June 2020)

Summary

Accessing social care and social support services is key to support the well-being of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. COVID-19 has caused sudden closures or radical modifications of these services, and is resulting in prolonged self-isolation. The aim of this study from Giebel et al., published in Aging and Mental Health, was to explore the effects of COVID-19 related social care and support service changes and closures on the lives of PLWD and unpaid carers.

Fifty semi-structured interviews were conducted with unpaid carers. The study found that PLWD and carers need to receive specific practical and psychological support during the pandemic to support their well-being, which is severely affected by public health restrictions.