[Status of everyday activities and cognitive activity in elderly patients with symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia during COVID-19].

Witkowska-Plusa, Urszula

The consequences of forced isolation due to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with symptoms of dementia in the elderly are only now being analyzed. AIM The aim of the study was to conduct a preliminary analysis of the effects of a break in implementing rehabilitation programs in patients with Alzheimer's disease with symptoms of dementia. MATERIALS AND METHODS The analysis included data obtained from qualification tests of 19 patients (14 women, 5 men) aged 76 to 91 years (mean 81.2 +/- 9.9 years) qualified in 2021 to return to groups at the Alzheimer Center in Warsaw. The obtained results of the performed Katz, Lawton tests and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were compared with the results from 2020. RESULTS The initial assessment showed a deterioration of the general and mental condition of patients qualified for the planned activities. The Katz test for the assessment of basic activities of everyday life did not reveal any significant changes in relation to the results obtained one year ago, while the Lawton test for the assessment of complex activities of daily life showed that 13 (68%) of the subjects significantly deteriorated compared to the previous year's study. On the other hand, in the MMSE, deterioration was noted in 12 (63%) analyzed compared to their state from a year ago. CONCLUSIONS During the year of forced isolation due to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there was a significant deterioration in the daily activities and cognitive functions of patients with symptoms of dementia in the elderly.