The aim of this study was to explore how formal social support changed after implementation of the COVID-19 public health measures and how these restrictions affected people living with dementia and their informal carers in Australia. Sixteen informal carers and two people living with dementia were interviewed between August and November 2020. Participants were asked about their experiences of the pandemic and the impact that the restrictions had on their lives and care. Thematic analysis identified four overarching themes describing (a) prepandemic limitations of the aged care system, (b) the aged care system’s response to the COVID-19 restrictions, (c) changes affecting informal carers, and (d) the challenges faced by people living with dementia. The findings highlighted the challenges faced by the Australian aged care system before the pandemic and the additional burden placed on informal carers who supported people living with dementia across residential and home settings during the pandemic.

本研究的目的是探讨在实施 COVID-19 公共卫生措施后，正式的社会支持如何发生变化，以及这些限制如何影响澳大利亚的痴呆症患者及其非正式护理人员。在 2020 年 8 月至 2020 年 11 月期间，对 16 名非正式护理人员和两名痴呆症患者进行了采访。参与者被问及他们在大流行中的经历以及这些限制对他们的生活和护理产生的影响。专题分析确定了四个总体主题，描述了 (a) 老年护理系统在大流行前的局限性，(b) 老年护理系统对 COVID-19 限制的反应，(c) 影响非正式护理人员的变化，以及 (d) 人们面临的挑战患有痴呆症。