Research article by Clarissa Giebel et al. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
September 18, 2020.
The aim of this national survey was to explore the impact of COVID‚Äê19 public health measures on access to social support services and the effects of closures of services on the mental well‚Äêbeing of older people and those affected by dementia. A UK‚Äêwide 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‚Äê19 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‚Äêbeing. 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.
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