Dataset Information

COVID-19-related social support service closures and mental well-being in older adults and those affected by dementia: a UK longitudinal survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on delivery of social support services. This might be expected to particularly affect older adults and people living with dementia (PLWD), and to reduce their well-being.

Aims

To explore how social support service use by older adults, carers and PLWD, and their mental well-being changed over the first 3?months since the pandemic outbreak.

Methods

Unpaid dementia carers, PLWD and older adults took part in a longitudinal online or telephone survey collected between April and May 2020, and at two subsequent timepoints 6 and 12 weeks after baseline. Participants were asked about their social support service usage in a typical week prior to the pandemic (at baseline), and in the past week at each of the three timepoints. They also completed measures of levels of depression, anxiety and mental well-being.

Results

377 participants had complete data at all three timepoints. Social support service usage dropped shortly after lockdown measures were imposed at timepoint 1 (T1), to then increase again by T3. The access to paid care was least affected by COVID-19. Cases of anxiety dropped significantly across the study period, while cases of depression rose. Well-being increased significantly for older adults and PLWD from T1 to T3.

Conclusions

Access to social support services has been significantly affected by the pandemic, which is starting to recover slowly. With mental well-being differently affected across groups, support needs to be put in place to maintain better well-being across those vulnerable groups during the ongoing pandemic.

SUBMITTER: Giebel C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7813330 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

COVID-19-related social support service closures and mental well-being in older adults and those affected by dementia: a UK longitudinal survey.

Giebel Clarissa C Pulford Daniel D Cooper Claudia C Lord Kathryn K Shenton Justine J Cannon Jacqueline J Shaw Lisa L Tetlow Hilary H Limbert Stan S Callaghan Steve S Whittington Rosie R Rogers Carol C Komuravelli Aravind A Rajagopal Manoj M Eley Ruth R Downs Murna M Reilly Siobhan S Ward Kym K Gaughan Anna A Butchard Sarah S Beresford Jules J Watkins Caroline C Bennett Kate K Gabbay Mark M

BMJ open 20210117 1

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on delivery of social support services. This might be expected to particularly affect older adults and people living with dementia (PLWD), and to reduce their well-being.<h4>Aims</h4>To explore how social support service use by older adults, carers and PLWD, and their mental well-being changed over the first 3 months since the pandemic outbreak.<h4>Methods</h4>Unpaid dementia carers, PLWD and older adults took part in a longitudinal ...[more]

PMID: 33455941

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Project description:Aims and objectivesWhile haemodialysis is an effective treatment for end-stage renal disease, the requirements and restrictions it imposes on patients can be onerous. The aim of this study was to obtain UK National Health Service patients' perspectives on the challenges arising from haemodialysis with the intention of identifying potential improvements.BackgroundDepression rates are particularly high in those with end-stage renal disease; however, there is limited insight into the range of stressors associated with haemodialysis treatment within the National Health Service contributing to such high rates, particularly those of a cognitive or psychological nature.DesignA qualitative approach was used to obtain rich, patient-focused data; one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty end-stage renal disease at a UK National Health Service centre.MethodsPatients were interviewed during a typical haemodialysis session. Thematic analysis was used to systematically interpret the data. Codes were created in an inductive and cyclical process using a constant comparative approach.ResultsThree themes emerged from the data: (i) fluctuations in cognitive/physical well-being across the haemodialysis cycle, (ii) restrictions arising from the haemodialysis treatment schedule, (iii) emotional impact of haemodialysis on the self and others. The findings are limited to predominantly white, older patients (median = 74 years) within a National Health Service setting.ConclusionsSeveral of the experiences reported by patients as challenging and distressing have so far been overlooked in the literature. A holistic-based approach to treatment, acknowledging all aspects of a patient's well-being, is essential if optimal quality of life is to be achieved by healthcare providers.Relevance to clinical practiceThe findings can be used to inform future interventions and guidelines aimed at improving patients' treatment adherence and outcomes, for example, improved reliable access to mental health specialists.

Dataset Information

COVID-19-related social support service closures and mental well-being in older adults and those affected by dementia: a UK longitudinal survey.

Background

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

COVID-19-related social support service closures and mental well-being in older adults and those affected by dementia: a UK longitudinal survey.

Similar Datasets

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