Time of Isolation, Education and Gender Influence the Psychological Outcome During COVID-19 Lockdown in Caregivers of Patients with Dementia

Overview

Journal Eur Geriatr Med

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2020 Oct 14

PMID 33052535

Citations 33

Authors

Michele Carpinelli Mazzi

Alessandro Iavarone

Caterina Musella

Marzia De Luca

Dalila De Vita

Stefano Branciforte

Alessia Coppola

Rosa Scarpa

Sabina Raimondo

Sara Sorrentino

Flavia Lualdi

Alfredo Postiglione

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The study evaluated the effects of the COVID-19 emergency lockdown on the psychological outcome in caregivers (children or spouses) of patients with dementia and the loss of the welfare services in these patients.

Methods: Zung's depression and anxiety assessment scales and the Perceived Stress Scale were administered by a telephone interview or a self-compilation directly on the online platform.

Results: The sample consisted of 239 participants (men = 124; women = 115) with a mean age of 54.4 years (SD = 12.1). Education was associated with significantly lower overall anxiety and depression scores while days of isolation and female gender were associated with the higher scores. A marked reduction of health services was observed in all patients.

Conclusion: The lockdown registered a particular impact on people with dementia and their caregivers. Many people with dementia were deprived of care services and time of isolation had a significant negative effect on anxiety and depression in caregivers.

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