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COVID & DEMENTIA (pt2)
In June I reported on the dire situ w/regard to covid & dementia (almost 1/3 of covid deaths had the disease)
For many carers and cared for situ is still grim and w/more restrictions looming, some fear there's another ticking time bomb ahead (thread)
In June I reported on the dire situ w/regard to covid & dementia (almost 1/3 of covid deaths had the disease)
For many carers and cared for situ is still grim and w/more restrictions looming, some fear there's another ticking time bomb ahead (thread)
EXC: Newsnight has exclusively seen polling which lays bear the extent of the problem
95% of carers POLLED said that hours they’ve had to put in during pandemic had negatively impacted upon their physical/mental health
69% of carers constantly exhausted
49% were depressed
95% of carers POLLED said that hours they’ve had to put in during pandemic had negatively impacted upon their physical/mental health
69% of carers constantly exhausted
49% were depressed
Polling comes from @alzheimerssoc
It also bears out my report from early June in the effect restrictions were having on the decline of those with the disease: 83% of the carers polled said that health of those they care for had deteriorated during pandemic.
It also bears out my report from early June in the effect restrictions were having on the decline of those with the disease: 83% of the carers polled said that health of those they care for had deteriorated during pandemic.
reminder of why those with Alzheimer's/dementia are suffering more during restrictions.
-lockdown/restrictions affect routine, crucial to prevent decline
-lack of visitation can worsen decline.
-many have lost day centre provision/domiciliary care
-lockdown/restrictions affect routine, crucial to prevent decline
-lack of visitation can worsen decline.
-many have lost day centre provision/domiciliary care
For example, today I met Dave and Bonnie. Dave is Bonnie's best friend and has been her live in carer for the last four years.
Before lockdown, she was attending a day care centre a couple of days a week which provided respite for Dave and routine for Bonnie. That went.
Before lockdown, she was attending a day care centre a couple of days a week which provided respite for Dave and routine for Bonnie. That went.
It's had a profound effect on them both: "There have been moments of despair. And they’re not typical for me. It feels like you’re looking down a dark hole, it feels like w/e you do to make things better can only make things better for short period. It Feels like a losing battle"
Or take Gordon and Sue. Sue has advanced dementia. Gordon does virtually everything for her: "She used to go to daycare 4 days a week. That's completely stopped. Obviously she hasn’t had the stimulation. I think she has declined because she hasn’t been active."
Gordon himself has cancer. He's lost the council provided carer that used to come to help: "Physically I've had to do everything. Get her out of bed, toilet, shower her. Physically it's just been very very hard for me."
There are fears things could be worse than the spring for a v simple reason: in early 2020 the various dementia charities were in decent shape. They often fill a key role in our deeply patchy social care system. Today, many are on the financial edge and cancelling services.
Some want the govt to look to Canada. There they are entrenching visitation rights for those in care in law. This will allow one designated family member to enter homes with the correct ppe/testing and help prevent mental/physical deterioration. Charities want same thing here.
More to come on this but for now, do tune in to @BBCNewsnight for my report, BBC2 10 mins time.
