Effect of COVID-19 restrictions on older adults with Parkinson’s disease in North Angus
Poster
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
More Parkinson's Academy COVID-19 Projects
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Parkinson's Academy, our original and longest running Academy, houses 22 years of inspirational projects, resources, and evidence for improving outcomes for people with Parkinson's. Led by co-founder and educational director Dr Peter Fletcher, the Academy has a truly collegiate feel and prides itself on delivering 'the things you can't get from books' - a practical learning model which inspires all Neurology Academy courses.