COVID-19 and Dementia
About: According to the Alzheimer’s Association, "Most likely, dementia does not increase risk for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus, just like dementia does not increase risk for flu. However, dementia-related behaviors, increased age and common health conditions that often accompany dementia may increase risk. For example, people with Alzheimer's disease and all other dementia may forget to wash their hands or take other recommended precautions to prevent illness. In addition, diseases like COVID-19 and the flu may worsen cognitive impairment due to dementia.”
Tips for Care Partners during COVID-19: For dementia caregivers at home, the Alzheimer’s Association offers these tips: "For people living with dementia, increased confusion is often the first symptom of any illness. If a person living with dementia shows rapidly increased confusion, contact your health care provider for advice.
- People living with dementia may need extra and/or written reminders and support to remember important hygienic practices from one day to the next.
- Consider placing signs in the bathroom and elsewhere to remind people with dementia to wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds.
- Demonstrate thorough hand-washing.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be a quick alternative to hand-washing if the person with dementia cannot get to a sink or wash his/her hands easily.
- Ask your pharmacist or doctor about filling prescriptions for a greater number of days to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
- Think ahead and make alternative plans for care management if the primary caregiver should become sick."
AlzHereForYour.org: The Alzheimer's Association of MA/NH has created alzhereforyou.org, a hub for all COVID-related resources and programs offered by the association. This site includes COVID-19 tip sheets, virtual programs (including specialized support groups and education programs), and social engagement offerings for people living with dementia, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, plus development events and public policy updates.
COVID-19 Caring Conversations: Among the many offerings on alzhereforyou.org, you'll find the newest program, COVID Caring Conversations (CCC), which includes a series of topic-focused facilitated discussions for people living with dementia, caregivers, and healthcare professionals that address the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis. CCC is a weekly program offered on Wednesdays at 11 am and 6 pm, and several of these programs are offered in both English and Spanish. Please watch the site for additional dates and topics. Details can be found here.