A cohort study of the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of people newly diagnosed with dementia and their family carers

COVID-19 has negatively impacted people with dementia and family carers, yet little is known about effects on overall quality of life. METHODS: UK cohort study with pre- and post-pandemic data from 114 carers and 93 people recently diagnosed with dementia. Latent Growth Curve modelling examined change in quality of life. RESULTS: Carers reported significant decline in quality of life, while that of people with dementia did not change. In multivariable analyses, greater cognitive impairment, deprivation, study site, and lower number of post-diagnostic clinic contacts predicted greater decline in carer quality of life. DISCUSSION: Maintaining life quality for people with dementia during the pandemic appears to have come at the expense of their family carers. This inequity has fallen hardest on those caring for people with more severe dementia, in deprived areas, and with least support from memory services. These effects may be prevented or reversed by post-diagnostic care.