My 83-year-old hubby and I both came down with Covid; my symptoms were mild (I’m 70 and in excellent health), but it has hit him very hard. He has dementia and it has worsened considerably. Before, he was able to stand, walk a little, and feed himself. Now he cannot stand up and needs assistance with meals. (Was already incontinent both ways.) He moved from hospital to skilled nursing two days ago. I can see he is getting better, as if a fog is lifting, but he is also more combative with the staff (alternating with his usual sweet self), not sure where he is, and I notice he is blurting out words (like “yes” and “oh”) at random. I know this is all part of dementia’s progress, but wonder who has experience with the impact of Covid on dementia patients. Thank you to this group for caring and thoughtful answers.
I've heard it can cause delerium in vulnerable elders, inc those with dementia. Which makes sence to me since UTIs, chest infections, influenalza & many other infections can cause delerium.
I suppose be aware sometimes it may linger or even remain but stay hopeful the fog does lift in time.
Wishing you & your DH a good outcome.
The problem with ascertaining how much covid might or might not be involved in his case is that he already has the diagnosis of some dementia, which you correctly observe changes and worsens all on its own.
There is so much out there regarding this illness that cannot be answered, and I am afraid your question, complicated as it is with an underlying dementia and a change of his living situation, is one of those questions that is just anyone's guess.
I sure wish you luck.
I know people who are participating in studies. In one case, the person has moved to assisted living with brain fog that has become dementia; they are meeting frequently with research doctors to monitor dementia progress. This person had a mild case of Covid in 2020.
So yes, information is out there. Unfortunately major media doesn’t seem interested in providing this information. We are expected to believe that Covid pandemic is over, but for you and your husband, it isn’t. That’s true of many of us.