The aims of this study are, from the perspectives of those with the lived experience, to examine the impact of COVID-19
public health measures on the life and wellbeing and access to care and support of people living with dementia and their care partners
(family, friends and other informal carers); and identify key issues and challenges as well as key lessons in terms of what
worked well, what did not, what was helpful and what was not.

METHODS
Design: A repeated cross-sectional survey of people living with dementia and current care partners, complemented by a
follow-up qualitative interview

Participants: People living with dementia and carer partners (families/friends who have primary care responsibility) in Australia

Recruitment: Volunteers from StepUp for Dementia Research and StepUp Champion Organisations (aged care providers and dementia peak bodies).

Data collection: Online and Telephone survey using REDCap (Time 1 in June-July 2020 & Time 2 in mid 2021, and qualitative interview (in August-September 2020).

The study is ongoing (Time 2 survey to be conducted April-May 2021)

Initial findings have been reported in the Dementia Australia discussion paper: One day the support was gone: The mental health impact of COVID-19 on people living with dementia, their families and carers. https://www.dementia.org.au/sites/default/files/2020-11/PFOD-Discussion-Paper-Nov-2020-ver1.pdf

KEYWORDS / CATEGORIES