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Introduction
A gradual neurological illness called dementia is marked by memory loss, communication problems, and cognitive decline. The Alzheimer Society of Canada (2021) estimates that 564,000 Canadians currently live with dementia; by 2031, this figure is predicted to have doubled. The care and support that people living with dementia receive in long-term dementia care facilities are essential, yet the condition itself can have a severe negative impact on these people’s mental health and well-being. In this reflective essay, the mental health and well-being of residents of long-term dementia care facilities and their relatives or carers are examined. It also takes into account how this vulnerable group has been impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. Living with dementia in long-term care institutions has a tremendous emotional toll on families and caregivers, in addition to having an effect on the mental health and well-being of those with the condition.
Mental Health and Wellbeing of Individuals Residing in Long-Term Dementia Care Units
A person’s behaviour and demeanour might significantly change as a result of dementia, an illness that worsens with time. Dementia patients frequently feel confused, disoriented, and agitated, which can be detrimental to their mental health and well-being (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2021). People with dementia who are in long-term dementia care facilities may endure social exclusion, loss of freedom, and feelings of loneliness, which can result in despair and anxiety. The likelihood of depression is one of the main issues with mental health for those with dementia. In those with dementia, depression is a prevalent co-morbidity that can accelerate cognitive decline and exacerbate behavioural symptoms. Depression in people with dementia can also be influenced by the loss of social relationships and the inability to engage in past interests. Additionally, dementia can affect a person’s physical health, and comorbid conditions like chronic pain and sleep issues can make mental health symptoms worse. For instance, a person with dementia who suffers from chronic pain could find it difficult to express their anguish and, as a result, might become agitated or aggressive.
Mental Health and Wellbeing of Families/Caregivers of Individuals with Dementia
Dementia patients’ families and carers struggle with serious mental health issues as well. Caregivers may develop burnout, anxiety, and depression since providing care can be taxing and unpleasant (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2021). As their loved one’s cognitive and physical capacities deteriorate, caregivers may also feel grief and loss. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it even harder for families and carers of dementia patients to maintain their mental health (Fisman et al., 2020). For families and caregivers, the pandemic’s restrictions on visits and contact with loved ones residing in long-term care institutions have resulted in great distress and anxiety. Their mental health issues have been made worse by their fear that their loved one may become infected with the virus or suffer abuse and neglect in nursing facilities.
Government Guidelines and Scholarly Research
The Alzheimer Society of Canada and other stakeholders created the Canadian Dementia Priority Setting Partnership (CDPSP), a national standard. It offers guidelines that are supported by research for enhancing the quality of life for people with dementia and their loved ones or carers. Providing person-centred care that fosters the autonomy and dignity of dementia patients is one of the CDPSP’s main recommendations (Chow et al., 2018). Roach et al. (2021) investigated the link between depression and cognitive deterioration in dementia patients in a scholarly study piece. The importance of recognizing and treating depression in this population is highlighted by the study’s finding that it is linked to a quicker rate of cognitive deterioration in people with dementia.
The COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on Canadian long-term care facilities. In order to enhance the mental health and well-being of residents and caregivers in long-term care facilities, the article by Fisman et al. (2020) highlighted the need for improved infection control procedures and more resources. In order to guarantee that residents receive the attention and assistance they need, the editorial also emphasized the need for enhanced accountability and openness in long-term care institutions. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families and carers of people living with dementia was covered in a news report by CBC News in 2021. The pandemic’s tremendous emotional toll on families and caregivers who have been unable to visit their loved ones in long-term care institutions was noted in the story. The article also stressed the need for more help and resources to deal with the mental health difficulties family and caregivers of dementia patients experience.
Conclusion
The mental health and well-being of those receiving long-term care, as well as the family and carers of those people, can be significantly impacted by dementia, a complex and challenging disease. These issues have been made worse by the COVID-19 epidemic, underscoring the need for more assistance and resources for this vulnerable community. The CDPSP guideline offers guidelines that are supported by research for enhancing the quality of life for people who have dementia and their family or carers, placing particular emphasis on the value of person-centred care that fosters autonomy and dignity. Dementia patients’ mental well-being can be enhanced by recognizing and treating comorbid conditions, including depression and taking care of physical health issues.
References
Alzheimer Society of Canada. (2021). About Dementia. Web.
Chow, S., Chow, R., Wan, A., Lam, H. R., Taylor, K., Bonin, K., & Herrmann, N. (2018). National dementia strategies: What should Canada learn?Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 21(2), 173. Web.
CBC News. (2021). The pandemic’s devastating toll on people with dementia and their families. Web.
Fisman, D. N., Bogoch, I., Lapointe-Shaw, L., McCready, J., & Tuite, A. R. (2020). Risk factors associated with mortality among residents with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in long-term care facilities in Ontario, Canada. JAMA network open, 3(7). Web.
Roach, P., Zwiers, A., Cox, E., Fischer, K., Charlton, A., Josephson, C. B., & Smith, E. E. (2021). Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and virtual care for people living with dementia and care partners living in the community. Dementia, 20(6), 2007-2023. Web.
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