Five tips for people with dementia and carers during COVID-19 lockdown

A new leaflet features five simple tips to help people living with dementia. It has been developed using the latest research and with the input of people affected by dementia and experts at the University of Bradford.

The leaflet is part-funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), in a project led by the University of Exeter and the NIHR Older People and Frailty Policy Research Unit, with partners including Alzheimer’s Society, Manchester University, the University of Bradford, Brunel University London and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South-West Peninsula (PenARC). 

It is part of an ongoing project, backed by the University of Bradford, to support people living with dementia and their carers through the COVID-19 global health emergency. The project recognises that people with dementia are particularly vulnerable to the psychological and social impacts of isolation and lockdown.

Dr Catherine Quinn, of the Centre of Applied Dementia Studies at the University of Bradford, who is involved in the project, said: “COVID-19 has led to changes to people’s lives as we all adjust and adapt to the lockdown and social distancing. For people with dementia and carers, these changes have a major impact as they may no longer have access to support services and are at increased risk of social isolation.

“Having to stay within the home means having to make changes to routines and lifestyles. People can also be anxious about being able to access food and medications. There is a continuing supply of information about COVID-19, but this can feel overwhelming and confusing for some. As part of this project we wanted to put together some guidance to help support people affected by dementia during these difficult times. This focuses on giving practical guidance on things people can do to stay well.”

The project takes into account the concerns expressed by people with dementia through partner networks such as Alzheimer’s Society, Innovations in Dementia and the DEEP - Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project - network. They are describing concerns about maintaining supplies of food and medications, anxiety about what would happen if they were admitted to hospital, lack of confidence, feelings of loss and grief, increases in symptoms like agitation, and a more rapid decline in cognitive and functional ability. 

For carers, lockdown means they are more captive in their role and lack respite opportunities. Many carers report finding it difficult to explain the current restrictions and enable the person with dementia to remain safe, and are deeply worried about the safety and well-being of their relatives.  

Professor Linda Clare, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the project, said: “While not currently classed as ‘vulnerable’ on health grounds, people with dementia and their family carers are disproportionately affected by social distancing, isolation and lockdown. Our research tells us that many people living with dementia and carers felt isolated and lonely before COVID-19, and now these feelings will be amplified. They can feel overwhelmed by the volume of generic advice and guidance available, and may be unsure how to select information that is relevant to them and their families and what information to trust. This project aims to provide robust information, developed with the crucial input of people affected by dementia, to offer support through this crisis.”  

The leaflet, available online, gives practical and self-help tips, as well as signposting sources of support, on five key points:  

• Staying safe and well  
• Staying connected 
• Keeping a sense of purpose 
• Staying active 
• Staying positive 

The advice builds on the IDEAL programme which seeks to understand and find ways to improve, the experience of living with dementia. The study recruited 1,547 people diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia and 1283 carers and is following as many as possible over six years.

The study recently reported on the extent of loneliness of carers of people with dementia living in the community in a pre-COVID-19 era, highlighting social isolation as one of the key factors that led to feelings of loneliness. The new guidance also incorporates findings from the NIHR-funded GREAT trial, which focuses on practical ways of enabling people with dementia to manage daily life and stay as independent as possible. 

Professor Martin Rossor, National Director for Dementia Research at the NIHR, said: "It is vital to ensure that people with dementia and their carers feel supported during this uncertain time. Research funded and overseen by the NIHR is providing some of the quality evidence that supports resources like these." 

Fiona Carragher, Chief Policy and Research Officer at Alzheimer’s Society said: “It’s great to see the publication of this practical guidance for people with dementia. From all the calls we receive to our Dementia Connect support line, we know loneliness is a real issue for people affected by dementia, and strict lockdown measures due to the coronavirus pandemic have exacerbated this by shutting people with dementia and their carers away from loved ones and other forms of support. We’re expanding our services in response to this need, and this new guidance will form part of our support to ensure people affected by dementia don’t feel forgotten and alone.” 

The guidance will form part of Alzheimer’s Society’s support package via helplines and frontline staff.