"Dementia at the time of Covid-19" is a useful document conducted by Center for Dementia Sarajevo represented by our INDEED project colleague, Osman Kučuk. This document was created in response to the current situation regarding the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

Below you will find an excerpt with relevant information from the original document.

In regarding on the severity of entire situation and condition due to Covid-19 and passed bans as measures for protection of BH population, we want to pay attention on the next facts:

-The most risk for the fatality by the patient's age have people 50+

-Covid-19 is the cause of death to every sixth affected person 80+ 

-Peoples with: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, high blood pressure and persons with carcinoma are groups with high risk for complications due to Covid-19 and in high percent ended fatality!

 "How to help and protect people living with dementia alone in their homes or with life partner"! 

COVID - 19 and DEMENTIA 

Covid-19 will not cause any type of dementia, but the overall condition will worsen if a person living with dementia becomes infected with the virus. 

REACTION ON INFECTION PERSON LIVING WITH DEMENTIA 

1. Physical

1.a. Exhaustion

1.b. Slow motion

1.c. Dizziness

1.d. Difficulty getting up and walking

2. Psychic

2.a. Anxiety

2.b. Depression

2.c. Bad mood

2.d. Hallucinations - possible

2.e. Illusions - possible

2.f. Insomnia / Somnolence

3. Cognitive

3.a. Puzzlement / Confusion

3.b. Difficult speech

3.c. Difficult understanding & expression

3.d. Disorientation - towards persons, space, time

3.e. Difficult to perform even simple actions

3.f. Movement problems

3.g. Recognition

4. Behavioral

4.a. Aggressiveness

4.b. Violence

4.c. Agitation

4.d. Rejection

4.e. Apathy

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA 

a. If you notice that a person with dementia shows increased confusion, violence, etc. (see part of the reaction to the infection), contact your family doctor immediately and inform about the condition of PwD

 b. Write reminders about how to wash hands and place reminders in a conspicuous position above a washbasin and sink

c. Everyday PwD explain of hygiene measures for protection and prevention and if it needs several time in day

d. Everyday show practical way and duration of handwashing and the way to protect the environment when sneezing / coughing

e. Required to provide alcohol solution (min.60% alcohol) or disinfectant and spray hands of PwD after toilets or contact with others.

f. Contact your family doctor and provide prescriptions and long-term medical therapies so you wouldn't go to the pharmacy often

g. Make a backup plan in case one of your family members becomes infected with Covid / 19 to protect person and other family members  

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT BY THE PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA (PwD) THAT LIVE ALONE OR WITH THE OCCASIONAL SUPERVISION OF ANOTHER PERSON: 

a. Not maintaining personal hygiene b. Failure to carry out a hygiene-epidemiological protocol when entering the home c. Not maintaining the household space clean and sterile d. Not to carry out measures of self isolation e. Not to carry out measures of physical distancing f. Failure to comply with collective barriers (curfew, ban on going out for the elderly ...) g. Spreading a virus infection beyond their volition h. Inadequate response to the situaMon in which is society 

(Dementia at the time of Covid-19 -Center for dementia Sarajevo Osman Kučuk)