UNMET REQUIREMENTS: CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIA UNDERGOING SURGERY IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The study used a qualitative design to examine the experiences of caregivers of patients Alzheimer's disease and related dementia who underwent surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample of the study consisted of 21 caregivers who met the inclusion criteria of the study. The data were obtained through in-depth interviews via mobile phone. The data were analyzed by following Collazzi's seven-stage method.11 sub-themes and 3 themes were created: difficulties experienced during the pandemic period, emotions experienced during the pandemic period, and coping strategies during the pandemic period. It has been shown that These caregivers, who have a high burden of care even in normal times, faced many difficulties and were negatively affected emotionally due to the surgery of their patients during the pandemic period. The nurse should know the daily life, social supports, social conditions, and ways of coping with the problems of the caregiver of the elderly person with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. If caregivers' experiences, social supports, social conditions, and ways of coping with the problems and difficulties are known, home care strategies can be developed to manage these difficulties.