Covid-19 Causes 10,000 Dementia Deaths Over Infectious Diseases, Research Says | World News

There were about 10,000 additional unexplained deaths among people with dementia in April, according to official figures warned of the serious effects of social isolation on people with the condition.

Data from National Bureau of StatisticsBelief that 83% more deaths from dementia in April than deaths directly related to Covid-19 are more than normal, and the reduction in emergency medical care and family visits is catastrophic. Has made a warning.

“It’s scary that thousands of people with dementia have died,” said CEO Kate Lee. Alzheimer’s Disease Association.. “We have already seen coronaviruses have a devastating effect on people with dementia, [research] The threat of the virus goes far beyond that. “

According to a survey of 128 nursing homes by the Alzheimer’s Society, 79% report that lack of social contact causes poor health and well-being for people with dementia. A relative of a person with dementia in a nursing home says his loved one has become confused, abandoned, lost eating, and lost the ability to speak. “I’m really afraid my wife won’t recognize me at the end of this,” one man told a charity.

A quarter of those who die of coronaviruses also have dementia, which, along with diabetes, makes it the most common pre-existing condition of death. Aside from the coronavirus, in April there were 9,429 deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in the UK alone and 462 in Wales. That number is 83% higher than normal in the UK and 54% higher in Wales.

Charities show increased deaths from dementia, increased cognitive impairment due to isolation, reduced inevitable care because family caregivers are unable to visit, and demented people no longer love We believe that the cause of depression is due to not understanding the reasons why they visit and cause them to lose their skills and independence.

Another factor could be the interruption of normal medical services. More than three-quarters of nursing homes report that their GPs are reluctant to visit residents.

Gavin Terry, a policy director at the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, said that family and friends could prepare for meals, regularly go out and exercise, and maintain people’s social engagement to help people with dementia health. It can play an important role in maintaining. .. He said that withdrawing this support could lead people to go downhill rapidly. “I’ve heard that some people don’t eat or drink “give up” or “turn off,” he said.

“We must stop the horrific loss of life for those who were ignored at the beginning of this crisis-the terrible social welfare system is already kneeling, unequipped to protect them.” Lee said.

Trevor Salomon (67), whose wife Yvonne (64) is in a nursing home in London, said she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 57, and a pandemic has dramatically changed her care. “The familiar faces of family and friends are gone, and the caregiver is behind the mask, unable to touch or comfort the occupants,” he said. “Yvonne has lost its shine. She’s in a world we don’t understand. Nursing home staff does a great job of taking care of the tenants, but we only have video calls to stay in touch. And Yvonne doesn’t always understand them. If the lockdown continues, I’m really afraid my wife can’t recognize me at the end of all this.”

The Alzheimer’s Association calls for urgent introduction of regular screening to care home staff and residents. Not only does this help prevent the spread of the infection, but it also allows the visit to be safely reintroduced. The government said last month that all UK nursing home staff and residents would be screened for viruses by early June, but it is unclear how much progress will be made towards this goal and how repeated the test will be. Is.

Samantha Benham Hermets, director of policy and public relations at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said ONS data revealed a shocking increase in people dying of dementia. “In the midst of this pandemic, we cannot ignore the destructive effects that dementia continues to have on our entire society,” she said.

“Every day, it’s becoming clear that people with symptoms are overly affected by Covid-19,” she added. “Not only are people with dementia vulnerable to the virus itself, but social distance conditions exacerbate the existing difficult dementia symptoms and exacerbate the effects of the condition.”