Hisham Irshaid
Pronouns:
Research Mentor(s): Hwajung Choi
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Internal Medicine / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Hisham Irshaid, Hwajung Choi
Session: Session 3: 11:00 am – 11: 50 am
Poster: 14
Abstract
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made dementia care more difficult to provide in many aspects, this study aims to investigate the challenges faced by caregivers in providing dementia care as well as the potential impacts on dementia patients of variations in the quality of health care delivery and health care use. Dementia causes a reduction in cognitive abilities, which can be quite difficult, especially for older people. A person with memory loss frequently finds it difficult to complete everyday duties on their own, which makes them more dependent on caregivers—mostly family members. This study aims to understand caregivers’ experiences and effectiveness during the pandemic disruptions using extensive data collecting and literature review on hospitalization records, formal/informal healthcare use, and related research articles regarding healthcare utilization and health outcomes among people with dementia related to the COVID-19 pandemic. during the lockdown era of COVID-19. We hypothesize that the pandemic’s policies during the lockdown period may have interfered with the routine provision of dementia care, which has limited people’s access to essential services because of things like lockdown procedures, unemployment, isolation, quarantining, and financial stress. It also highlights the need for both formal and informal care during lockdowns, since the availability of family caregivers has a significant impact on the dynamics of caring. Lastly, by presenting data on the impact of the hospitalization of dementia patients, this study hopes to shed light on the many challenges faced by dementia caregivers and patients during the pandemic. The project intends to highlight the effects of the global pandemic on vulnerable individuals by bringing attention to the experiences endured by caregivers and dementia patients during the lockdown period; in doing so, the research hopes the findings can guide public health officials to create future policies that accommodate dementia patients needs during a global pandemic.
