The effects of COVID-19 on Australian family caregivers of people with dementia: Caregiver COVID-19 limitations scale

Background: There is limited research on the effects of COVID-19 and accompanying psychological and health related outcomes among Australian family caregivers. The aim of this research was to examine caregiver limitations as a result of COVID-19, and measure this perceived impact on caregiving using the newly developed Caregiver COVID-19 Limitations Scale (CCLS-9). Psychometric properties of the CCLS-9 were also examined. Method: Forty-four Australian family caregivers of individuals living with dementia completed a cross-sectional online survey between May and September 2021. Outcome measures included psychological distress, caregiver burden, caregiver self-efficacy, social support, quality of life, and COVID-19 related caregiver limitations. Result: Psychological distress and social support significantly predicted caregiver limitations. Australian family caregivers reported high levels of psychological distress and caregiver burden, low levels of self-efficacy, moderate levels of perceived social support and quality of life. Overall COVID-19 had a moderate impact on Australian family caregivers. The CCLS-9 demonstrated good internal consistency and test-retest reliability, poor concurrent validity, and results provided support for a two-factor model of the CCLS-9. Conclusion: Findings from this study offer preliminary insight into the negative effects of COVID-19 on Australian family caregivers. Distinctly, the pandemic continues to pose a significant threat to the health and psychological wellbeing of Australian family caregivers of individuals living with dementia. Therefore, Australian family caregivers should receive increased and ongoing support during these unprecedented times.