Lockdown’s grim toll on Alzheimer’s sufferers

THOUSANDS of people with dementia are dying because of lockdown, campaigners have warned the Government.

Three months of loneliness and isolation is taking a devastating toll on their health, the Alzheimer’s Society said.

Of 128 care homes questioned, 79 per cent reported worsening health of their residents with dementia due to a lack of social contact.

And Alzheimer’s sufferers have been those worst hit by Covid-19.

A quarter of people who have died had dementia – making it the most common pre-existing condition for deaths, along with diabetes.

Aside from coronavirus, “unexplained excess” deaths from dementia were 83 per cent higher in England in April, and 54 per cent higher in Wales, with nearly 10,000 deaths in total.

Isolation

Kate Lee, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We’ve seen the devastating effect of coronavirus on people with dementia who catch it, but our survey reveals the threat of the virus extends far beyond that.

“We have to stem the dreadful loss of life.The Government must put people with dementia at the heart of plans to ease lockdown.”

Reasons for the rising number of dementia deaths include declining brain function caused by isolation and the reduction in essential care as family cannot visit.

This is often accompanied by the onset of depression as people with dementia do not understand why loved ones are no longer coming, causing them to lose skills and independence, such as the ability to speak, or even stopping eating and drinking.

Trevor Salomon, 67, whose wife Yvonne, 64, is in a London care home, said: “Coronavirus changed it overnight. Familiar faces of family and friends are gone, and carers are behind masks and can’t touch or comfort the residents.

“Yvonne has lost her sparkle. We’ve only got video calls to keep in touch and Yvonne doesn’t always understand them.

“If lockdown continues, I fear my wife won’t be able to recognise me at the end.”