Dementia care shifted towards outpatient services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany.

ABSTRACT: BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, forcing adaptations in care pathways. A particularly vulnerable patient group are those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia who experienced unique challenges during this period.ObjectiveThis study aims to examine shifts in healthcare utilization, focusing on inpatient and outpatient services.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 27,240 dementia cases from 86 German hospitals, comparing inpatient and outpatient care between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022 to cases from 2019. Admission rates, length of stay, disease severity (case mix, comorbidities) and complications (i.e., intensive care admission, mortality) were assessed using (generalized) mixed models.ResultsOutpatient care utilization for dement

SUBMITTER: Diogo Nellessen N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12647372 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature