Sarah Wallace
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Amanda Leggett
Co-Presenter: Webber, Anna
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychiatry / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 4 – 2:40pm – 3:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Sarah Wallace, Anna Webber, Tyson Fang, Elaina Baker, Hannah Lee, Amanda Leggett
Presenter: 26
Abstract
Background: Caregivers, in caring for persons living with dementia (PLwD), take on enormous responsibility of handling everything from medical decisions to activities of daily living. Formal services and community supports play an integral role in helping caregivers manage this responsibility. However, in many ways the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the accessibility of these services. As a followup to the cognitive-behavioral styles of caregiving previously studied, the COVID-STYLE study aims to determine how caregiving styles have evolved in response to the pandemic. In particular, the current study examines changes in access to medical care, respite care, or other community supports experienced by dementia family caregivers. Methods: Recruitment focused on primary caregivers of PLwD who were not at the terminal stage of disease. Main recruitment methods were contacting participants of the original STYLE study, as well as caregivers in the database of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and UM Health Research. 100 caregivers completed quantitative inventories and qualitative interviews via zoom or phone call. Qualitative data was analyzed using Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction technique, in which transcribed interviews were coded for relevancy and then open and focus coded along thematic elements. Results: While data analysis has not yet concluded, recurring themes have emerged. Caregivers have expressed barriers in communicating with medical staff including inability to accompany PLwD to in-person appointments and decreased assessment capabilities using telehealth. Online programs offered as a result of the pandemic have aided caregivers in their caregiving practice. Additionally, many caregivers experienced decreases in respite care, increasing burden on the caregiver. Conclusions: Through analyzing the impact of the pandemic on caregivers, this study will allow us to better understand how access to services affects caregiving style and what adjustments to accessibility can be made to aid in caregiving practice throughout the remaining duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the long term.
Biomedical Sciences
