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Background/Purpose: Older patients living with dementia and their caregivers are ideal beneficiaries of telemedicine, cost-effectiveness, caregiver satisfaction, and physician acceptance. The aim is to study the effect of a telemedicine dementia enabled program on the health outcome of dementia patients and their caregivers, as regard the patient outcome, caregiver stress, and caregiver satisfaction. Methods: Ninety-seven (n = 97) elderly subjects were recruited from the outpatient clinics and inpatient ward of Geriatrics Hospital, Ain Shams University Hospitals. Seventy subjects completed 6 months of follow-up using a telegeriatrics model. Patient outcomes (delirium, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia [BPSD], and need for home consultations, emergency room [ER] visits, clinic visits, and hospital admissions) were assessed and followed. Caregiver stress was evaluated and monitored using the abridged Arabic version of the Zarit Burden Interview ZBI-A. Caregiver satisfaction was assessed using dedicated satisfaction questionnaire designed by Ain Shams Virtual Hospital. Results: elirium episodes, BPSD episodes, and the need for home consultations, clinic visits, ER visits, and hospital admissions. This was statistically significant after the second, fourth, and sixth months of follow-up (p-value <0.001). In addition, the telegeriatrics follow-up model had a positive effect on both caregiver stress and caregiver satisfaction. Conclusions: The telegeriatrics follow-up model is a useful tool in the improvement of health outcomes of dementia patients, reduction of caregiver stress, and achievement of caregiver satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lifestyle and dietary habits of elderly individuals in Egypt. The study found that there were significant changes in lifestyle, such as decreased outdoor time and increased computer use, particularly among women. Participants over the age of 70 experienced weight loss and dietary changes, while those under 70 experienced negative changes in outdoor time, socializing, physical activity, shopping, and sleeping hours. Highly educated individuals also had significant lifestyle modifications. The study concludes that COVID-19 confinement had an effect on the dietary habits and lifestyle of Egyptian elderly individuals. Additionally, the article briefly mentions two other studies conducted in Australia and China that explore the impact of the pandemic on eating and exercise behaviors and food consumption patterns, respectively. [Extracted from the article]