SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS DURING COVID-19 ISOLATION - Dementia Auckland
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SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS DURING COVID-19 ISOLATION
COVID-19 AND
DEMENTIA
DEMENTIA AUCKLAND IS AVAILABLE FOR ADVICE
AND SUPPORT.
Supporting a person with dementia during this
challenging time may be difficult. Do your best to
follow COVID-19 guidelines. Be kind to yourself and
others.
It is unlikely that dementia on its own increases the risk
of people getting COVID-19, just as they are not more
likely to get the flu.
However many people with dementia are older and may
have swallowing difficulties, chest, heart, immune or other
conditions that make them more susceptible to the
infection which means it could be more severe. Further,
people with dementia may not understand the need for
precautionary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
SYMPTOMS
The core symptoms of COVID-19 are:
Fever - (38°C and higher)
A cough
Shortness of breath
Remember the first sign of a person with dementia might show could be increased confusion.
If the person with dementia or their carer develop symptoms, phone your GP or contact Healthline
0800 358 5453 for advice.
STAYING HOME
People with dementia will be confined to home much more than they are used to. This could cause:
Frustration
Increased confusion
Additional stress on the carer
If the person with dementia lives on their own it might be a good idea to move them in with others or
have someone move in with them.
If people living with dementia and their carers receive services that are classed as non-essential during
the lock-down period this may cause additional stress and a lack of support they are used to receiving.
0800 433 636 | WWW.DEMENTIAAUCKLAND.ORG.NZPREVENTION
For any essential visits, the way to protect yourself and
others is to follow the recommended precautions:
Cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues (cough
or sneeze in to your elbow if you don't have these
available).
Keep at least 2 metres away (length of 2 broom handles)
from visiting staff except for personal cares such as
putting on clothes, bathing and changing wound
dressings.
Avoid touching the face
Wash hands for at least 20 seconds (Sing Happy Birthday twice, not too fast).
When the home support worker arrives and after they leave.
Before eating and handling food
After using the toilet
After coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose or assisting the person with dementia
After caring for sick people
Keep surfaces wiped down with disinfectant. Use a detergent if the surface is visibly dirty and a
disinfectant such as bleach. Surfaces need about 10 seconds of soaking with disinfectant to work,
don't just wipe it off.
FOR CARERS
Caring for the person with dementia will fall predominantly on the main support person and both
will be restricted to the home. This could be a stressful time, with no breaks, as well as general
anxiety about the situation.
The Ministry of Health suggests the following for mental wellbeing:
Stay connected with family and friends through phone, video or conversation at a distance from
the front door or window. Reach out to family and friends to help set up video facilities.
Dementia Auckland and GPs are still here to support you by phone and video.
If the person with dementia is in residential care, respect guidelines, stay calm and maintain good
communication with staff.
Acknowledge each other's feelings and reach out for support to people you trust.
Have a back up plan - identify who can support and care for the person with dementia if the main
carer becomes unwell.
Write a journal, meditate, be creative.
Get accurate information from legitimate sites (Ministry of Health, trusted news from TV1 and 3).
Limit exposure to media and news about COVID-19.
Call or text the free counselling line 1737.
0800 433 636 | WWW.DEMENTIAAUCKLAND.ORG.NZTHE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA
We all need reassurance and touch, and this is particularly important where dementia is advanced.
With New Zealand at ALERT LEVEL 4, now people are isolated within their own homes, they can assist
and comfort each other physically as normal unless they become unwell.
People with dementia may not understand the seriousness of the situation and the need to keep a
physical distance from any essential visitors.
Keep explanations simple, use words like flu rather than COVID-19.
Write a simple explanation down and leave it where the person with dementia can see and read it.
Limit their exposure to the news.
Keep some routine in their day - stay orientated to day, date and time.
Maintain current support services including DHB if possible.
The person with dementia may become overwhelmed and anxious. Carers need to manage this
carefully to keep the risks as low as possible.
The person with dementia might need additional reminders about hygiene:
Placing signs in the bathroom to remind about washing hands for 20 seconds.
Washing hands together including singing along as you both wash.
Having an alcohol-based hand sanitiser available if the person with dementia cannot easily wash
their hands with soap and water.
BE ALERT TO BECOMING UNWELL
DELIRIUM can be triggered by becoming unwell and / or with stress. Be aware of signs of delirium:
A sudden escalation of dementia symptoms
Trouble paying attention
Being restless and upset
Slurred speech
Not making any sense
See and hear imaginary things
Mix up day and night
Drift between sleep and wakefulness
Confusion
Unusual levels of agitation
More restless or sleepy
If you are concerned the person with dementia is becoming unwell contact your GP or
Healthline 0800 358 5453.
0800 433 636 | WWW.DEMENTIAAUCKLAND.ORG.NZFOR FAMILY & FRIENDS
Make sure you keep in regular contact.
Help with getting essentials - food or medication
Assist where you can with setting up forms of
communication and resources.
Remember it is important not to visit inside the house unless
it becomes essential to do so. Maintain strict hygiene and
social distancing unless it's impossible to do so.
USEFUL
INFORMATION
www.covid19.govt.nz
Ministry of Health https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-
conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus
https://thespinoff.co.nz for sensible articles by Siouxsie Wiles
Healthline - 0800 358 5453 - if you have symptoms - or your GP.
Dementia Auckland phone: (09) 622 4230 or free phone: 0800 433 636·
Check website and Facebook Page.
Mental Health Assessment & Brief Care Team can be contacted on 0508 292
467. (Mental Health Crisis Team Number)
0800 433 636 | WWW.DEMENTIAAUCKLAND.ORG.NZYou can also read
