New research finds 39 per cent of people with dementia suffered from worse depression during COVID.

In an online survey of carers of people with dementia – in Australia, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands – respondents reported their loved ones were more disoriented, restless and withdrawn.

They also reported poorer mental health themselves as a result of the pandemic.

Researchers found “an accelerated decline of symptoms over a short period of time (within a few months) during the pandemic, which may not be attributable to the typical course of dementia”.

“More than one-third of people with dementia had worse apathy (loss of motivation) and anxiety. They also had worse delusions; that is, unshakeable beliefs about things that are not true.

For example, becoming increasingly paranoid or suspicious of unfamiliar surroundings, such as people wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and changes to their daily routines, such as not being able to see their families,” researchers from the University of Sydney wrote in the online journal The Conversation.

More than one-quarter had worse irritability and agitation compared to before the pandemic.

The researchers said, “symptoms may be exacerbated by the reduction in meaningful contact with their loved ones, and disconnection from their usual social activities and routines”.

More than half of carers reported they had worsened mental health since the pandemic began and 63 per cent had a reduced social network.