Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on older adults with Parkinson’s disease in North Angus

Aim

To better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions have affected people with PD in North Angus.

Headlines

• Roughly half of older adults with OD have experiences a deterioration in mobility, function, mood, and memory during the pandemic
• It is possible that some of this could have been avoided through strategies and measures to
• ensure they remained physically active and socially engaged
• the majority of participants felt safer as a result of actions, such as shielding, and would make the same choices again

Key findings

A total of 20 people took part in a survey, conducted over the phone or by video call. Of these, 13 took part alone, five answered with the support of a carer, and two carers answered on behalf of the patient.

Key findings included:

• 10 people said there had been a change in their PD. Of these, two said medication changes had led to an improvement
• 16 said there had been a change in their walking, 11 recognised a change in mood, and eight recorded a change in memory
• Nine said there had been a change in their ability to perform self-care and 11 recorded a change in their independence levels
• 18 were shielding and 17 felt safer for spending more time at home

Recommendations

• Repeat the survey across the rest of Angus to examine if others had a different experience of lockdown
• further explore whether people felt adequately supported by the PD service
• share the survey with colleagues in primary and secondary care for future learning