The figures are revealed in a new report by Alzheimer’s Society and Public Health England, which also shows that people with dementia are more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without. The findings come as the UK Government is being urged to do more to protect people with dementia during the pandemic. Alzheimer’s Society has called on the Government to provide more support for carers, better access to PPE, and regular testing for people with dementia.
„Dementia doesn’t discriminate, and it is vital that people with the condition are not left behind as the country starts to recover from the pandemic.
„The Government must do more to protect people with dementia during this pandemic and beyond. We are calling on them to provide more support for carers, better access to PPE, and regular testing for people with dementia.”
Public Health England’s Director of Health Protection, Professor Yvonne Doyle, said:
„These findings reiterate the vulnerability of people with dementia to COVID-19.
„It is imperative that we all continue to follow the guidance to reduce the spread of the virus and protect ourselves and others, including those most at risk.”
This is according to research from the University of Oxford and King’s College London, which analyzed data from more than 14,000 deaths in England and Wales. The findings show that people with dementia are three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without the condition. Dementia is a major health problem in the UK, with around 850,000 people living with the condition.
The research highlights the need for better support for people with dementia and their carers during the pandemic.”Our findings show that people with dementia are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19,” said Professor Claudia Cooper from University College London. This is likely to be due to a combination of factors, including the fact that dementia can make it difficult for people to follow public health advice, such as hand hygiene and social distancing.”
The research also found that people with dementia were more likely to die from COVID-19 if they lived in a care home.
„This highlights the need for better support for care homes during the pandemic,” said Professor Cooper.The findings are based on data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which includes all deaths registered in England and Wales up to 24th April 2021. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).”This research highlights the need for improved support for people with dementia and their carers during the pandemic,” said Professor James Goodwin from Age UK.”It is vital that the government ensures that care homes have the resources they need to protect residents from COVID-19.”
The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show that of the 57,474 deaths involving COVID-19 in England and Wales between March 2020 and February 2021, 5.4% (3,079) mentioned dementia on the death certificate. This is higher than the 3.7% of all deaths in 2020 that mentioned dementia.
The data also shows that people with dementia are more likely to die from COVID-19 than those without the condition.
Of the 3,079 deaths involving COVID-19 where dementia was mentioned on the death certificate, 2,336 (75.6%) were of people with a confirmed diagnosis of dementia.
This compares to 1,743 (5.6%) deaths where dementia was not mentioned on the death certificate but the person had a confirmed diagnosis of dementia.
The findings highlight the importance of supporting people with dementia during the pandemic and ensuring they have access to vaccines. Dr. Doug Brown, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said:“These figures show the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on people with dementia and their families.
“We know that people with dementia are more likely to die from other causes such as infections, so it is not surprising that they have been particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
“What is surprising is the high proportion of people with dementia who have died from COVID-19 compared to those without the condition.
“This reinforces our call for people with dementia to be prioritized for vaccinations as they are at a higher risk of severe illness from the disease.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to claim lives around the world, new figures have emerged confirming that people with dementia are disproportionately affected. According to a new study from the University of Oxford, 1 in 5 people who died from COVID-19 between 2020 and 2021 had dementia. This is despite the fact that people with dementia make up just 5% of the global population. The findings, which are based on data from over 30 countries, highlight the urgent need for better support and care for people with dementia during the pandemic. Lead author Dr. James Pickett said: „Our findings show that people with dementia are at a much higher risk of dying from COVID-19 than the general population. This is a stark reminder of the devastating impact that this virus can have on people with dementia and their families.”He added: „It is vital that we do everything we can to protect people with dementia from COVID-19, and this means ensuring that they are vaccinated as a priority.”
