The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activities of Initial-phase Intensive Support Team for Dementia in Kobe City.

Background: This study aimed to review the activities of the Kobe City Initial-phase Intensive Support Team for Dementia pre- and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to compare the characteristics of the target population and the performance of the team's activities, and determine the impact of the pandemic on the team's project.

Methods: The summary data obtained at the time of consultation, team activities, and participants' characteristics were extracted from 662 participants who started to receive support between April 2018 and March 2022. Statistical analysis was performed by dividing the participants into the following two groups: pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic groups.

Results: There was no significant difference in the number of new cases or cases that led to a dementia diagnosis between the pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic groups. However, there were significant differences in the number of home visits and rate of introduction of medical care between the two groups. In our study population, the number of participants with financial management difficulties and delusions increased and the number of participants who refused visitations slightly decreased.

Conclusion: The Kobe City Initial-phase Intensive Support Team was able to continue its activities during the pandemic partly because the team is an independent, dedicated team. During the pandemic, there was an increase in the number of participants who were isolated because they were deprived of opportunities to interact with others, and who developed delusions and other psychiatric symptoms. Despite this situation, the professional team responded quickly through individual assessment of the individual needs by continuous outreach, taking into account the infection situation, and thus this outreach team functioned well even under the COVID-19 pandemic.