An estimated 5.8 million Americans aged 65 or older are living with dementia, a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other cognitive abilities that are severe enough to impact daily life. With such a large population of older adults suffering with this chronic condition, it’s only natural to wonder at this time how dementia and COVID-19 are related—especially if your loved one is afflicted or you provide care for someone with the disorder.
How is dementia related to COVID-19?
The good news is that dementia itself does not appear to increase risk for contracting COVID-19. However, there are concurrent factors that may impact risk, such as the age of most patients, the cognitive decline associated with dementia, and other health conditions that may accompany dementia.
In general, older adults are at a higher risk for facing complications due to COVID-19 infection, as aging can be associated with other medical conditions that may compromise immunity. Meanwhile, cognitive impairment due to dementia may cause your loved to be less understanding and open to adopting new protective measures.
For instance, the use of face masks may hinder their ability to decipher who is behind the mask and make it more difficult for them to comprehend speech, as it can be muffled by a mask. The concept of social distancing might also be confusing, while forgetfulness may make hand hygiene more challenging to remember.
It’s important to be especially sympathetic to the psychological well-being of dementia patients and to be mindful of providing them with special attention. Periods of isolation and other protective measures can put a strain on them, as these limitations may be perceived as unusual and therefore will be less accepted. These measures may also further affect intellectual abilities and delay cognitive improvement.
What can I do to care for and protect my loved one from COVID-19 infection?
Mild dementia does not greatly affect cognition, and most adults in this category are quite cooperative and understanding. However, if your loved one suffers from an advanced case, it may be difficult for them to follow guidelines to prevent infection. In these instances, it’s helpful for you to lead by example or offer gentle reminders, such as Post-it Notes on the bathroom mirror, of guidelines to keep in mind, such as:
- Have them wear a face mask when possible, but do not force them. If your loved one has difficulty breathing, is incapacitated or unconscious, or cannot remove the mask without assistance, they should not wear one.
- Remind them to cover their mouth while coughing and to sneeze into a tissue. Have some in your pocket at the ready.
- Demonstrate appropriate hand hygiene by washing hands often and thoroughly.
- Advise them against touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands.
- Make a habit of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
- Ask their pharmacist or doctor about filling prescriptions for a greater number of days to decrease trips to the pharmacy.
- Make alternative plans in the event that adult day care or other care services are modified or cancelled.
How will I know if my loved one is experiencing a COVID-19 infection?
A COVID-19 infection may not be obvious in many dementia patients. But be aware that for people living with dementia, the worsening of dementia-related symptoms or new behavioral changes are often the first sign of any illness. This can manifest as increased agitation and confusion, or sudden sadness.
While many with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, if you notice your loved one is exhibiting typical symptoms associated with the disease, be sure to keep tabs on their condition. Some of these symptoms may include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
What should I do if my loved one has a COVID-19 infection?
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your loved one, get expert advice. Telehealth services are ideal for this, as you can receive medical care over video calls from your pocketable clinic called 'PocketDR' and avoid any unnecessary visits to the hospital. However, if their condition starts to deteriorate or they have any problems breathing, then urgently seek medical assistance. If a loved one with dementia is admitted to the hospital, it is best to remain with them to decrease distress. Confusion may cause them to refuse diagnostic procedures or follow protective care advice, but your presence will help to calm them.
If you are the primary caregiver for a loved one with dementia, one of the best things you can do is to take care of your own health. Make sure to employ protective measures and keep an eye out for any COVID-19 symptoms. Also, always have a back-up caregiver for your loved one in the event you become ill.
How can we help you?
At DocRoad, we believe that everyone should receive the care they need to live the healthy life they deserve, which is why we are opened a new door to chronic condition management. We offer simple and convenient doctor’s appointments from your pocketable clinic called 'PocketDR', covered by Medicare.
Our expert and empathetic medical specialists provide outcome-focused health services, including scheduled phone appointments, customized care plans, medication refills, and continued remote monitoring for older adults with chronic conditions.
Call us today for a consultation and see how we can help manage your loved one’s dementia diagnosis with comprehensive and compassionate care received right from the comfort of home.
