The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of loneliness in informal caregivers of people with dementia in Chile during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The researchers surveyed a sample of informal caregivers about sociodemographic aspects, clinical and caregiving changes experienced by them and the person with dementia during the pandemic, perceived psychosocial support and loneliness.

The study found that the most significantly related factors that predict loneliness are less years of formal education, lower income, low level of support with care tasks, living with the person with dementia, low social support, high levels of burden and depressive and anxious symptomatology. In contrast, carrying out physical and mental activity are significantly associated with lower feelings of loneliness.

Article by Claudia Mirande from MICARE, M. Valenzuela, A. Slachevsky, D. Thumala, L. Olavarría, A. Pinto, J. Lema and B. Gajardo.