COVID-19 : the neglect of people with dementia : submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

Jane Mears

Research output: Other contribution

Abstract

It is now widely acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has served to highlight what were pre-existing inadequacies across the aged care sector. We argue that this lack of attention to the specific impacts of the pandemic on people with dementia highlights not only the inadequacy of responses but the inadequate understandings of what is required to provide quality care to people with dementia. This submission thus highlights: ➢ The lack of attention given to the specific needs of people with dementia; ➢ What understandings of the experience of dementia are required for provide quality care; ➢ How a lack of understanding or prioritizing of dementia care needs has contributed to the marginalising of these needs in public discussion; ➢ How people at a local level have tried, imaginatively, to respond to these needs; and ➢ What is required to ensure: (1) the long-term physical health needs of those experiencing dementia are met – in the context of Covid-19 and any other infectious diseases that endangers their health, and (2) more adequate support for those providing dementia care, both at home and in residential aged care facilities.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • COVID-19 (disease)
  • dementia
  • patients
  • old age homes

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