When the Lights Went Out at Adult Day Centers: Perceived Change in Caregiver Well-Being During the COVID-19 Shutdowns

Adult day centers (ADCs) provide essential services, but many centers closed in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined how people living in the United States who relied on ADCs for caregiving support prior to the pandemic experienced life as a caregiver once the shutdowns began. Informal caregivers of adults with dementia or disabilities (n = 70) recruited from ADCs completed a survey concerning prior ADC use, perceived changes in well-being, access to support, and caregiver experiences during the pandemic. Caregivers who reported using ADCs more often prior to the pandemic reported an increase in time spent caregiving, burden, and stress when ADCs closed. Qualitative reports of caregiving experiences during the pandemic included themes of mental health concerns, fear surrounding the virus, positive adjustment, lack of respite, and others. Results convey an overall negative impact of the shutdowns on caregivers and highlight the importance of maintaining access to services in the future.