Lockdown Impact on Dementia Care in the Community: Results of a Rapid Survey
By Justine Schneider Professor of Mental Health and Social Care. Faculty of Social Sciences, The University of Nottingham
As a valued member of our Carers Connect Network, Justine has extensive experience in many aspects of applied health research using a wide range of methodologies and approaches. Her current work focuses primarily on dementia and staff development, and she is exploring innovative approaches to knowledge exchange in dementia care through the arts. The survey results (shared in this blog) are applicable to national and local efforts to recover from Covid-19 with regard to the urgent needs of hundreds of thousands of people with dementia and their carers.
Justine sums up her thoughts on the findings of the summary and the full report. ‘ My view is that we’ve been too complacent about the telephone support offered to carers during lockdown. The evidence is that this is not enough to support them effectively. The vast majority of dementia carers tell us that they have really been struggling. Providers need to improve how dementia carers – and other carers too, are treated during the virus crisis. Carers are key workers, providing essential services, even when they are shielding at home. They need assistance to provide adequate care for the people with disabilities, including dementia, who they care for. This includes primary care, respite and social contact. It’s not impossible to provide assistance while taking precautions against virus transmission. Carers must never again be deprived of this vital support’.
See the summary report here
Read the full report here
Further information. The full report can also be downloaded here: www.thebeestonstudio.uk/lockdown-survey
Acknowledgements Grateful thanks to all the carers who despite frustration and fatigue took time to complete the survey and share their experiences. We are also grateful to Arts Council for their Emergency Respond Fund grant, without which The Studio would certainly have foundered. Thanks also to Karen Medd and Mohammed Turaki, who kindly helped to
design and distribute the survey.
Declaration of interests Justine Schneider designed and analysed the survey. The Studio is an arts-led dementia day centre where Justine is one of three directors (www.thebeestonstudio.org).
