Health of dementia sufferers ‘declining quicker’ in pandemic

DEMENTIA sufferers have seen their condition deteriorate ‘more quickly than would normally be expected’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Scottish Government report.

Coronavirus has also meant the likelihood of people receiving a timely diagnosis has been reduced, along with options for support after the condition has been confirmed, it said.

But the Government has pledged dementia sufferers and their carers will be able to benefit from increased access to respite and community services, and better post-diagnostic care.

The commitment is included in its new dementia and Covid-19 action plan.

There are 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia, with most of them living at home, while about a third stay in care homes.

The plan acknowledges the ‘necessary restrictions on all our freedoms’ had a ‘disproportionate impact on people with dementia and on the stress, trauma and anxiety of those who care for them’.

It states: ‘Many people living in the community with dementia have experienced that their condition and overall wellbeing has deteriorated more quickly than would normally be expected.’

It also accepted that ‘as a result of restrictions, the pandemic has reduced people’s likelihood of getting a timely diagnosis’, as well as opportunities for post-diagnostic support.

While support services went virtual, the report said some of these online tools had ‘worked well’.

But it also noted ‘people with dementia living alone had often not been seen by friends or fellow group members simply because they could not work the technology, and broadband quality in some parts remains a challenge, especially when using cameras to connect with and see friends’.

As the Government published the action plan, mental health minister Clare Haughey said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people with dementia and their carers, who have had to cope with the necessary suspension of many normal services – not to mention the emotional consequences caused by the necessary restrictions to visiting loved ones in care homes.’

She added: ‘We have listened to individual experiences, including those of declining physical and mental health, social isolation and the impact of delayed referrals into post- diagnostic services during the course of the pandemic.

‘While we are hopeful that the direct impact of the pandemic will recede next year, individuals and families may continue to experience additional issues associated with its impact and legacy.

‘ This plan sets out our coordinated response to those issues and how we will work together to support people in the months and years ahead.’

Ministers have pledged that unpaid carers looking after loved ones with dementia will have access to Scottish Governmentfunded NHS mental health services and counselling support available through Alzheimer Scotland.

Stuart Currie, the health and social care spokesman for local authority umbrella body Cosla, said: ‘During the pandemic the way a number of local authority, i ndependent and third sector services work has had to change, such as moving to telephone and digital provision.

‘Some of these services may continue to provide support, but we also want to see the return of place-based and face-to-face support services and the opportunity for people to use their community facilities.’

‘Work together to support people’