Equity in Changes to Dementia Care in the Community during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in High Income Countries: A Scoping Review

Kelly Margaret Bradbury, Elaine Moody, Katie Aubrecht, Meaghan Sim and Melissa Rothfus
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Kelly Margaret Bradbury: Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Elaine Moody: School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Katie Aubrecht: Department of Sociology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, Canada
Meaghan Sim: Research, Innovation & Discovery, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, NS B3H 1V7, Canada
Melissa Rothfus: WK Kellogg Health Sciences Library, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada

Societies, 2022, vol. 12, issue 2, 1-23

Abstract: During COVID-19, emergency measures, such as physical distancing and program restrictions, have reduced community-based supports for PLWD and their caregivers. Consequently, reductions in dementia services and resources have contributed to existing health inequities in this population. Academic databases were searched in July 2020. Grey literature was retrieved using the CADTH Grey Matters tool. Articles from 2000 to 2020 in English and from high-income countries were included. Literature that discussed any changes to community support and services for PLWD and/or their caregivers during any infectious respiratory outbreak was included. Findings were extracted using a template adapted from the Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool. A total of 15 articles were identified; all focused on the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence was primarily based on expert opinion, with only three primary research studies meeting inclusion criteria. Most alterations to dementia services described switching to telehealth platforms. There was limited information on social determinants of health and how these intersected to influence the experience of service changes among different populations. More research is needed to better understand how services for PLWD can continue or be transitioned online during infectious disease outbreaks and address issues of health (in)equities for PLWD and/or their caregivers.

Keywords: community supports; COVID-19; dementia; equity; telehealth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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