Pandemic distresses patients with dementia and their carers, survey finds
Lockdowns and disrupted routines have increased mental illness, researchers say
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated symptoms among patients with dementia and left many carers stressed and depressed, Australian researchers say.
Their international study of 287 carers found that neuropsychiatric symptoms worsened among patients because of lockdowns and changed routines, with 39% showing increased depression and 37% showing increased apathy.
Patients also had increased delusions (35%), anxiety (30%) and irritability (27%).
Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre ran the online survey in Australia, Germany, Spain and Netherlands between April and November 2020.
