Global response to the provision of dementia information and support during the COVID-19 crisis

Abstract Background Dementia and COVID-19 share the same key risk factor - age As the world reacted to the pandemic it became evident that people living with dementia were an exceptionally high-risk group;disruption to the diagnosis pathway, provision of post diagnostic support, interruptions to research and trials Alzheimer's Disease International responded quickly to support our global network of 102 associations, many challenged with having to re-invent their services, including withdrawal of face-to-face support plus providing timely information, support and advocacy interventions to partners Method Early 2020 ADI engaged our global associations to gauge the concern around COVID-19, with insight from our member association in China Regular contact with the WHO and our international partners gave us impetus to adapt our programme of work Result ADI produced an online COVID-19 resource;a go-to for information, advice, experience and learning A key resource, an advisory video from Prof Huali Wang, China, offering health and care advice - subsequently translated into a number of co-authored articles in The Lancet;followed by a paper on 'Difficult decisions about hospital admission and triage' Through series of global webinars ADI provided up to the minute experience the scarcity of resources;life/ deaths decision making and the rights of people with dementia to treatment Future gazing sessions followed to ascertain the impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis pathway, national plans, trials and on prevalence rates Thorough our engagement with the WHO, ADI contributed to the creation of an inter-agency mental health and psychosocial support resource and participated in the Civil Society Working Group on NCDs Media engagement brought vital attention and coverage to dementia, through titles including BBC World & Futures, The Economist, The Telegraph Conclusion Timely responses, interventions and the provision of COVID-19 resources has enabled our global associations to adapt their operations to better respond to the crisis and to review operational and policy strategies Through partnership working, timely sharing of information and advice, we have facilitated a strong reaction and positive response throughout the dementia sector to this extraordinary period