Experience and results with a telehealth treatment program in patients with cognitive disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic

• Published in: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2020-12, Vol.35 (12), p.1475-1476
• Main Authors: Dorman, Guido, Alvarez Dengra, Agustín, Fiorini, Adriana, Failla, Belén, Vallejos, Florencia, Pontello, Noelia, Roca, María, Bustin, Julián
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cognitive ability; COVID-19; Geriatric psychiatry; Letter to the Editor; Letters to the Editor; Pandemics; Telemedicine
• ISSN: 0885-6230; 1099-1166
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.5396

The COVID‐19 pandemic has led to the adoption of social quarantine measures in numerous countries.1 In this context, both COVID‐19 and quarantine can have a substantial impact in the mental health of affected populations.2 Health care services have had to adapt themselves to this new reality. Currently, the evidence in favor of the use of telehealth for people with cognitive impairment (CI) is encouraging but scarce.3, 4 Moreover, the impact of social distancing and quarantine measures on activities of daily living (ADLs) and behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPS) of individuals with cognitive disorders is uncertain, but they are expected to be a particularly vulnerable population. [...]there is a need for developing effective strategies to reduce the risk of ADL decline and the onset or worsening of BPS in this population.5 The aim of this letter is to present our experience and results with a telehealth treatment program (TTP) in patients with CI during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Goodman‐Casanova JM, Dura‐Perez E, Guzman‐Parra J, Cuesta‐Vargas A, Mayoral‐Cleries F. Telehealth home support during COVID‐19 confinement for community‐dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia: survey study.