Isolation the real threat for loved ones with dementia, families say

Every morning, Maria Zachariou, 83, sits patiently by her front door, dressed and ready for her day of programs at her local seniors'centre. Then her daughter reminds her she has to stay home because of COVID-19.

Zachariou hasdementia, and her family says they're more concerned about the impact of that missing social interaction conversations, activities and simple human touch than they are about the coronavirus.

"Since the pandemic, her decline has been rapid," said Christia Zachariou, Maria's daughter. She said her mother has been having trouble sleeping, bathes less frequentlyand has "lost interest in things she used to enjoy."

There are more than 24,000 people living with some form of dementia in this region, according to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.

Dr. Frank Knoefel, a physician and researcher at Ottawa'sBruyre Research Institute, saidin his 27 years in practice, he's never witnessed a general decline among dementia patientslike the one he's seeing now.

"I have never had as many people decompensate in one year as I did last year. I have never seen so many people pass away, so many people admitted to hospital, all in crisis, and so many people that I care for on a regular basisneeding extra medical pharmaceutical support," Knoefel said.

I have seen my mother decline rapidly: Isolation hurting seniors during pandemic, daughter says

4 years ago

Duration 1:05

Christia Zachariou, whose 83-year-old mother has dementia, says shes seen her condition worsen since the pandemic cut off access to programs at her local seniors centre.

No hugs, no exercise

It's been 10 months since John Hynes got a hug. Hynes, 83, has a great-grandaughter he's never met, except for a few visits via an iPad.

"How he's doing between these once-weekly calls is anyone's guess," said his sisterMaureen Madore, who lives more than an hour away in Gatineau, Que.

Hynes contractedand survived COVID-19 at the Prescott and Russell Residence in Hawkesbury, Ont., but Madore constantly worries about the other impacts of the pandemic.

"Since COVID hit he hasn't had any exercise at all, mentally or physically," said Madore. "My big concern is that he will not be able to walk by the time this is all over."

'Cracks in our health-care system'

It's a worry that Dean Henderson says keeps him up at night.

"I think COVID has exposed a lot of cracks in our health-care system," said Henderson, director of client experience, education and innovation with the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.

Many of that organization's offerings are now online, including a program that connects volunteers with dementia sufferers for virtual visits.

"Keeping that connection is so important,"said Henderson.

Pandemic leading to widespread decline for dementia patients, doctor says

4 years ago

Duration 1:11

Dr. Frank Knoefel, a physician and researcher at Ottawa's Bruyre Research Institute, says hes seen a widespread decline in the condition of many of his dementia patients, largely tied to the effects of the pandemic.

Some families moved their loved onesinto long-term care so they wouldbe around other people, but too often over the past 10 months, that kind of contact hasbeen forbidden.

"There is simply not enough staff to spend time with the residents that is not a duty-driven conversation," said Betty Yakimenko, whose mother lives with dementia at the Madonna Care Community in Orlans. "I truly believe that during the pandemic she lost a lot more [of her cognitive abilities] than she would have if we had been allowed to have contact with her."

Every time the home undergoes an outbreak, residents are confined to their rooms. Visits have been limited for months, and everyone is wearing personal protective equipment hardly the atmosphere families were hoping for.

'It's like there isn't any life left'

Armed with boxes, bins and an Allen key, Stephanie Kocielski recently created her own solution to her mother's isolation at Madonna.

Kocielski's mom,Beverly Peterson, got her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this week, but Kocielski knows there could be many more months of isolation still to come.

I want the residents to all be safe, but some days I wonder what we're protecting them from.- Stephanie Kocielski

"I brought in and sanitized a shelving unit from Ikea, and a large Rubbermaid container full of various activities. Now when I visit, we colour, do crafts, build things with blocks, read, create things with playdough, count fake money, work on simple puzzle activities, sort cards, dance the polka," said Kocielski, who's allowed into Madonna as an essential caregiver.

Kocielski said many of theitems she brought in for her mother canbe found "behind the locked door of the activities room,"butthey can't access thatroom right now.

She said shewishes she could share the activities with other residents who don't have family members visiting, but that's not allowed, either.

"I love spending time with my mom, but it's sad walking through the building. It's like there isn't any life left. I want the residents to all be safe, but some days I wonder what we're protecting them from."