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[Evidence summary:] What is the evidence for the impact of closures of day-care centres and resumption of day care services for older people during COVID-19? [v1.0]

dc.contributor.authorNational Health Library & Knowledge Service (NHLKS)
dc.contributor.authorCarrigan, Marie
dc.contributor.authorLeen, Brendan
dc.date.accessioned2020-10-23T15:26:56Z
dc.date.available2020-10-23T15:26:56Z
dc.date.issued2020-10-22
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/628429
dc.descriptionIn a recent report2 looking at the impact of day care closures on older people, one in five clients expressed feelings of loneliness or isolation. The closure of nine day services in Co. Kerry, Ireland, has highlighted the vulnerability of older adults, but new repurposed services  including the provision of meals on wheels, telephone calls, and laundry services  are having a positive impact on the quality of life of clients with 50% of clients availing of new repurposed services . The Alzheimer Society of Ireland produced a report4 in July 2020 which explored how people with dementia and their carers are coping during COVID-19, and to understand their challenges and needs. The findings point to their growing vulnerability arising from the cessation of services and supports. According to carers, significant challenges include the cancellation or postponement of medical appointments, a marked decline in dementia symptoms coupled with an increase in responsive behaviours, the loss of routine for the person for whom they care, and boredom and anxiety. Those with dementia who took part in surveys echoed many of the concerns and challenges of carers. Additional difficulties include loneliness, social isolation, anxiety and worry, and increasing stress resulting from workload leading to burnout and crisis. The need to re-open day care and the impact of cessation of day care on the person with dementia and the carer is a strong theme throughout recent research. Suarez-Gonzalez reviewed the emerging evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the cognitive and psychological health of people living with dementia and found that confinement can harm people living with dementia, leading to a worsening of both cognitive and psychological symptoms26. Continuity of support and access to therapeutic services may mitigate the negative effects of confinement on the cognitive and psychological health of people living with dementia in the community in future waves of COVID-19. Inclusion Ireland surveyed service users and their families on the impact that the closure of services has had on them and the supports they have received during the pandemic5. A significant number of respondents reported increased loneliness, anxiety and challenging behaviour or anger. At the same time, more than 20% of people reported being happier during the lock down. A joint report from TILDA and ALONE3 examines the issues of loneliness and social isolation with specific reference to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Current measures such as social distancing and cocooning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to increase level of loneliness and social isolation. This may have a negative effect on the wellbeing of older adults. This report indicates that public policies should be developed to ensure that these issues are addressed. There are limited qualitative data at present on the impact of COVID-19 on older people. Robinson et al6 published a protocol for a longitudinal exploratory qualitative study that will explore the in-depth experiences and beliefs of older Irish adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several international reviews have been registered with PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews, that will look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older people. On 19 October 2020, the Taoiseach’s announcement of a move to level 5 restrictions nationwide included provision for social bubbles to form for older people living alone in order to allow visits to or social alliances with one other family. The concept of a social bubble also specifically included carers of people with dementia who are allowed to nominate another household with whom they can secure social contact and support. Such provision may be interpreted as a recognition by the government of the very real dilemma of social isolation  particularly among older people and people with dementia.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherHealth Service Executiveen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseriesEvidence summariesen_US
dc.subjectCORONAVIRUSen_US
dc.subjectCOVID-19en_US
dc.subjectDAY SERVICESen_US
dc.subjectINFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROLen_US
dc.subjectOLDER PEOPLEen_US
dc.title[Evidence summary:] What is the evidence for the impact of closures of day-care centres and resumption of day care services for older people during COVID-19? [v1.0]en_US
dc.typeOtheren_US
refterms.dateFOA2020-10-23T15:26:57Z


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