Dementia patients abandoned during coronavirus crisis

Alzheimer’s Society has expressed concern that hundreds of thousands of people with dementia in care homes being abandoned during coronavirus crisis.

The charity claims that at least half of care homes are reporting coronavirus cases, but so far testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff is not routinely available. Alzheimer’s Society has taken the decision to write to the Health Secretary calling for a ‘clear government strategy to support residents of care homes’.
 
More than 400,000 people are living in care homes in the UK and 70 per cent have dementia. Many have other underlying conditions, and with 95 per cent of people with dementia over 65, are extremely vulnerable to contracting the virus. However, testing for residents and care home staff is not routinely taking place.

Alzheimer’s Society stresses that care home staff and people being discharged from hospital into care homes should be given priority testing for the virus, alongside critical NHS staff.

Kathryn Smith, COO at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Every day our Dementia Connect support line hears from people, friends and families terrified about the impact of coronavirus – people with dementia are being abandoned in care homes.  They’re being told they won’t be admitted to hospitals, they’re being asked to sign Do Not Resuscitate orders and being discharged from hospitals to care homes without being tested. At least half of care homes are reporting coronavirus cases and 70 per cent of people in care homes have dementia –the Government must give them better support and protection. We’re asking for provision of Personal Protective Equipment and more testing: for patients discharged, care home staff and residents.  

“We can already see the devastating impact of coronavirus outbreaks in care homes, most recently yesterday the tragedy of fifteen deaths in the Castleroy Residential Home in Luton, the tragedy of thirteen deaths in a week in Burlington Court care home, the deterioration of people with dementia separated from their families, care homes struggling to cope with a drastically reduced workforce. Deaths from coronavirus in care homes are not yet being properly recorded or published. Yet again, social care and those who desperately need it have fallen to the bottom of the pile.  The Government must step in and make it clear that no-one will be abandoned to this virus simply because of their age or their dementia.”