About
This project aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on older participants with neurological conditions, such as cognitive impairment, dementia, severe depression, or epilepsy, in residential care in England and Japan. It will also collect detailed information about the impacts of COVID-19 outbreaks on older participants with neurological conditions in England and Japan via online surveys and qualitative interviews.
What we do know
- Infection Vulnerability: People living with dementia in care homes are particularly susceptible to infections during outbreaks, possibly due to behavioural factors and specific care needs.
- Impact of Infection Control Changes: Infection prevention measures, such as universal masking and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), have significantly changed the landscape of care, especially in residential settings.
- Differences Across Care Settings: Changes in infection control are well-documented for residential care homes but less so for domiciliary (home) care.
- Global Policy Variation: There are notable differences in infection control and care policies across countries, particularly between Eastern and Western countries, such as England and Japan.
What we don’t know
- Impact on Domiciliary Care: There is limited understanding of how infection prevention protocols, such as PPE and masking, have affected care and quality of life for older adults with neurological conditions receiving home care.
- Comparative Data Between Countries: Little comparative information exists on how these changes have affected individuals with neurological conditions in different countries, particularly England and Japan.
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Protocols: The long-term impact of infection prevention measures on the physical and mental health of people living with dementia and other neurological conditions is still unclear..
What we will do in this study
To investigate the above questions, in this study, we will explore the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on older adults with neurological conditions, such as dementia, cognitive impairment, severe depression, and epilepsy, in residential care settings in England and Japan. Using online surveys and qualitative interviews, we will gather detailed information on the experiences of participants and their caregivers to understand how infection control measures, including the use of personal protective equipment and masking, have affected their quality of life. We will also compare the impact of differing governmental policies and infection prevention protocols in England and Japan while addressing the less-explored effects on domiciliary care settings.