Flu ISN’T THE ONLY WINTER KILLER

STATISTICS SHOW THAT DEGENERATIVE DISEASES SUCH AS DEMENTIA CAN BE JUST AS DEADLY DURING THE COLDER MONTHS

ELDERLY people are 50% more likely to die from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease during the winter than they are at any other time of the year. Figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that there were an estimated 10,800 excess winter deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2017/18.

It means that deaths from these diseases were 54% higher during the winter - between December and March - than at other times of the year.

The ONS say that the precise reason for the increase is unclear, but it may be related to the greater vulnerability of people with these conditions to respiratory diseases, difficulties with selfcare, and falls, all of which may have greater impact in winter months.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are leading causes of death in this country - and deaths from these diseases make up 22% of all excess winter deaths.

Across England and Wales, there were 50,100 excess winter deaths in 2017/18, meaning deaths last winter were 30% higher than during the rest of the year.

Nationally, the number of excess winter deaths was up from closer to 34,500 in 2016/17 - and was the highest recorded since the winter of 1976.

Colder than average temperatures for the winter months of 2017 to 2018 may partially explain the increase in winter deaths, according to the ONS.

The peak could also be partly explained by the higher levels of flu seen that season compared to the previous year.

This mainly impacted older adults, with an increase in care home outbreaks in particular.

As such, it’s unsurprising that excess winter mortality continued to be highest among people aged 85 and over, with the number of deaths in this age group 36% higher last winter compared to the rest of the year.

In comparison, they were around 19% higher for those aged 0-74, and nearly 27% higher for those aged 75-84.

Responding to the increase, Age UK’s charity director, Caroline Abrahams, said: “Last winter there were nearly 46,000 excess winter deaths amongst people aged 65 and over - a shocking 92 per cent of all excess deaths - equating to 379 older people a day.

“These distressing figures are now the highest we’ve seen in over 40 years.

“A toxic cocktail of poor housing, high energy prices and ill health can make winter a dangerous time for many older people, and tragically it is the oldest and those who are the most vulnerable who particularly suffer the consequences.

“We know such high levels of excess winter deaths are not inevitable. As a country we are not doing enough to ensure our older population stays warm and well throughout the harsh winter months.

“Age UK is urging older people to do everything possible to protect themselves against the threats posed by the winter cold - and it is vital that we pull together and make sure we all help those around us.”