Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (Jan 2022)
A cohort study of the impact of COVID‐19 on the quality of life of people newly diagnosed with dementia and their family carers
- Ben Hicks,
- Sanna Read,
- Bo Hu,
- Raphael Wittenberg,
- Amanda Grahamslaw,
- Anomita Karim,
- Evelyn Martin,
- Eleanor Nuzum,
- Jacob Reichental,
- Alice Russell,
- Elaine Siddle,
- Bryony Storey,
- Eva Tipping,
- Kate Baxter,
- Yvonne Birks,
- Carol Brayne,
- Nicola Brimblecombe,
- Margaret Dangoor,
- Josie Dixon,
- Kate Gridley,
- Peter R. Harris,
- Martin Knapp,
- Eleanor Miles,
- Rotem Perach,
- Louise Robinson,
- Jennifer Rusted,
- Rob Stewart,
- Alan J. Thomas,
- Sube Banerjee
Affiliations
- Ben Hicks
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School University of Sussex Brighton UK
- Sanna Read
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Bo Hu
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Raphael Wittenberg
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Amanda Grahamslaw
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Gateshead UK
- Anomita Karim
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Worthing UK
- Evelyn Martin
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust London UK
- Eleanor Nuzum
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust London UK
- Jacob Reichental
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Worthing UK
- Alice Russell
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Worthing UK
- Elaine Siddle
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Gateshead UK
- Bryony Storey
- Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust Gateshead UK
- Eva Tipping
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Worthing UK
- Kate Baxter
- Social Policy Research Unit University of York York UK
- Yvonne Birks
- Social Policy Research Unit University of York York UK
- Carol Brayne
- Cambridge Public Health University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
- Nicola Brimblecombe
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Margaret Dangoor
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Josie Dixon
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Kate Gridley
- Social Policy Research Unit University of York York UK
- Peter R. Harris
- School of Psychology University of Sussex Brighton UK
- Martin Knapp
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre London School of Economics and Political Science London UK
- Eleanor Miles
- School of Psychology University of Sussex Brighton UK
- Rotem Perach
- School of Psychology University of Sussex Brighton UK
- Louise Robinson
- Population Health Sciences Institute Newcastle University Newcastle UK
- Jennifer Rusted
- School of Psychology University of Sussex Brighton UK
- Rob Stewart
- Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience King's College London London UK
- Alan J. Thomas
- Institute for Ageing Newcastle University Newcastle UK
- Sube Banerjee
- Faculty of Health University of Plymouth Plymouth UK
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12236
- Journal volume & issue
-
Vol. 8,
no. 1
pp. n/a – n/a
Abstract
Abstract Introduction COVID‐19 has impacted people with dementia and their family carers, yet little is known about effects on overall quality of life. Methods In a UK cohort study, pre‐ and post‐pandemic data were collected from 114 carers and 93 recently diagnosed people with dementia. Latent growth curve modeling examined change in quality of life. Results Carers reported significant decline in quality of life, although no change was demonstrated by people with dementia. In multivariable analyses, higher levels of cognitive impairment, deprivation, study site, and lower number of memory clinic contacts were associated with greater decline in carer quality of life. Discussion Maintaining life quality for people with dementia during the pandemic appears to have come at the expense of their family carers. This inequity has fallen hardest on those caring for people with more severe dementia, in deprived areas, and with least support from memory services. These effects may be prevented or reversed by post‐diagnostic care.
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