Conducting a Gap Analysis of Family Caregivers’ Needs during a Global Pandemic

Summary

The purpose of this study is to learn about the experiences of family caregivers for people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic, and understand how we can better support caregivers. . The results of this study will be used to make informed recommendations for health care policymakers, health providers, and other key stakeholders on how to better support family caregivers for people living with dementia.

Impact: this study builds on a pilot study completed in the summer of 2020, expanding the scope to all of Alberta. From the information collected in the pilot study, we were able to make recommendations to healthcare decision-makers about how to address the needs of family caregivers; gave webinars for various stakeholder groups including the CORE Family Caregivers Group, Dementia Network Calgary and the University of Calgary, Faculty of Nursing; and distribute educational materials such as infographics. The impact of the province-wide expansion will update our recommendations and lend a larger voice to family caregivers, so that your needs can inform how decisions are made about responding to the pandemic going forward.