In my master's thesis, I was interested in the needs of relatives of people with dementia in home care, which arose during the COVID-19 epidemic. In the theoretical part, I described older people and their relatives during the COVID-19 epidemic, then I define who people with dementia are, models of understanding dementia, informal caregivers and their needs and care in the community.
I conducted eight interviews with relatives of people with dementia in home care. With the help of qualitative research or interviews I conducted over the phone, due to the COVID-19 epidemic, I wanted to find out their needs in the field of care at all levels of the social work model, economic, ethical, implementation and interpersonal relationships. I researched what help they have received before and during the COVID-19 epidemic or quarantine, how they assessed this help and what else they would need from the community. I was interested in what problems they encountered in caring for a person with dementia during the COVID-19 epidemic, how they solve the problems and how they took care of themselves.
The results of the research showed that formal and informal assistance was limited or non-existent during quarantine. Regarding assistance during quarantine, the opinion was divided. Participants expressed that they would like more help for relatives of people with dementia, more telephone counseling and in general information, leave and more socializing as people with dementia are lonely. Information on forms of assistance during quarantine was obtained through a third person or various media, but this information, in their opinion, was still insufficient. During the COVID-19 epidemic, relatives of people with dementia, in home care, faced various obstacles: insecurity, misunderstanding, providing appropriate help, restraint. They overcome stress through social contacts, conversations and various activities.
The main suggestions I came up with, looking at the research, are services, during emergencies, that respond to the needs of relatives of people with dementia and people with dementia. These are online self-help groups, counseling phone, online workshops, psychosocial help for relatives of people with dementia, informations through various media and telephone companionship for people with dementia.
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