Dementia: Covid-19

Described heartbreaking letters from constituents unable to visit loved ones with Alzheimer's due to the pandemic, commended local carers and praised new relationships between care homes and hospitals. Highlighted the importance of risk assessment and essential service designation for day care centres and urged deeper reform in social care.

Chris Bryant discussed the difficulties families face when dealing with dementia during the pandemic, highlighting issues such as isolation from elderly relatives, delayed diagnoses due to lack of physical presence for assessments, increased anxiety and depression, dietary problems affecting delirium levels, and challenges in obtaining lasting power of attorney. He also pointed out a nine-month backlog at the Court of Protection and raised concerns about funding cuts for brain injury support organisations.

Estimates suggest that over 3,000 residents aged 65 or older in Sutton will be living with dementia by 2030. Living with dementia is incredibly scary and impacts family and friends significantly as they become carers first and loved ones second. The situation was challenging before the pandemic but has worsened due to social isolation and health risks, leading to a deterioration of mental health among those affected.

The MP highlighted the increased vulnerability of dementia patients during the pandemic, noting that people with dementia accounted for 25% and 31% of covid-related deaths in England/Wales and Scotland respectively. He stressed the irreplaceable nature of human contact in care provision for dementia patients.

Jim Shannon highlighted the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on people with dementia, noting that a third of the 475 deaths in Northern Ireland were attributed to dementia. He pointed out the detrimental effects of social isolation and lack of visits to care homes, citing an Alzheimer's Society survey where 82% reported deterioration in symptoms. Shannon also mentioned SAGE advice from September stating low transmission risk from visitors and urged for its implementation.

Shared a video by her constituent Tracy Gothard showing difficulty visiting a loved one with dementia, called for key worker status for family members to allow visits. Highlighted the decline in health and wellbeing of people with dementia without regular contact from family carers.

Ms Kendall highlighted the impact of the pandemic on people with dementia, care staff, and families. She noted over 23,000 excess deaths in care homes, predominantly due to COVID-19, affecting many with dementia who reside there. She stressed the importance of long-term reforms for a better care system, including proper PPE provision, regular testing, and fair pay for care workers. Ms Kendall also emphasised the role and support needs of unpaid family carers who have been pushed to breaking point by increased responsibilities during the pandemic.

Patricia Gibson expressed concern about the impact of lockdown on individuals with dementia, drawing from her personal experience with her mother-in-law. She highlighted the significant decline in mental health among those with dementia due to isolation caused by the pandemic and called for more support for unpaid carers. The Scottish Government has invested £39.5 million annually under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, providing additional benefits such as a 13% increase in carer's allowance.

I acknowledged the complexity of intersections between dementia and COVID-19. The need for a significant and separate fund for medical research is highlighted, as charities' funding has been greatly affected by the pandemic. Environmental challenges in care homes have made them unsafe places with high isolation rates. There are concerns about reduced access to healthcare leading to decreased drug administration, therapy, and physio services, potentially increasing deaths from COVID-19 among dementia patients.

I thanked the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth for her speech, highlighting the importance of dementia awareness. I shared personal experiences and a letter from Gillian Molloy regarding her husband's decline due to limited visitation during the pandemic. The Concertina charity provides live music therapy which has shown positive impacts on individuals with dementia. The Government's commitment to spend over £300 million on dementia research between 2015 and 2020 was met a year early, spending £341 million by March 2019.

The MP highlighted the difficulties faced by care homes during the pandemic, emphasising that visits from loved ones have been severely restricted for dementia patients. He shared stories of constituents whose family members with dementia were distressed due to lack of contact, expressing concern over the emotional toll on both patients and their families.

Noted that the Order Paper mistakenly states the debate will start at 3:30 pm and advised attendees to arrive by 3 pm. Encouraged speakers to keep contributions brief, suggesting about four minutes per speaker.