A UK survey of COVID‐19 related social support closures and their effects on older people, people with dementia, and carers
Year: 2020
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this national survey was to explore the impact of COVID-19 public health measures on access to social support services and the effects of closures of services on the mental well-being of older people and those affected by dementia. METHODS: A UK-wide online and telephone survey was conducted with older adults, people with dementia, and carers between April and May 2020. The survey captured demographic and postcode data, social support service usage before and after COVID-19 public health measures, current quality of life, depression, and anxiety. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between social support service variations and anxiety and well-being. RESULTS: -tests showed that the mean hour of weekly social support service usage and the number of people having accessed various services was significantly reduced post COVID-19. Multiple regression analyses showed that higher variations in social support service hours significantly predicted increased levels of anxiety in people with dementia and older adults, and lower levels of mental well-being in unpaid carers and older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Being unable to access social support services due to COVID contributed to worse quality of life and anxiety in those affected by dementia and older adults across the UK. Social support services need to be enabled to continue providing support in adapted formats, especially in light of continued public health restrictions for the foreseeable future.
DOI: 10.1002/gps.5434
Authors: Clarissa Giebel, Kathryn Lord, Claudia Cooper, Justine Shenton, Jacqueline Cannon, Daniel Pulford, Lisa Shaw, Anna Gaughan, Hilary Tetlow, Sarah Butchard, Stan Limbert, Steve Callaghan, Rosie Whittington, Carol Rogers, Aravind Komuravelli, Manoj Rajagopal, Ruth Eley, Caroline Watkins, Murna Downs, Siobhan Reilly, Kym Ward, Rhiannon Corcoran, Kate Bennett, Mark Gabbay
Institutions: University of Liverpool, University of Bradford, University College London, Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, The Lewy Body Society, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Trust, National Museums Liverpool, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, University of Lancashire, Lancaster University
Language: English
Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,250
OpenAlex ID: W3087668526