COVID-19 and Dementia: A Review and Synthesis of Material on a Deadly Combination

Abstract

Within modern history, the majority of the worldwide population has not experienced pandemic conditions, and not in recent history has a global pandemic occurred. Arguably therefore we were not prepared for, and did not anticipate, some of its effects, with emerging evidence indicating that this was particularly the case with respect to dementia care. The aim of this paper is to highlight some of the issues raised by COVID-19 surrounding dementia care, focusing on issues experienced both by individuals living with dementia and by those who provide their care. This is in response to the need to raise awareness of this issue and we do so by bringing this information together in order that it might inform policy for ongoing care post-virus and future outbreaks and lockdown situations. While there is a marked need to change the current tactics being used in the treatment and care of preexisting and longstanding illnesses, like dementia, there is also a need to take into account the safety procedures necessary to prevent potential exposure to COVID-19. Through the targeted exploration of these considerations, there is a hope that documentation of these actions can both facilitate current treatment and care efforts and approaches and provide a framework for future efforts, should another pandemic situation arise in the near future.