Alzheimer’s Society urges supporters in Cheshire to help combat people ‘dying from loneliness’

The charity is urging its supporters in Cheshire to sign a letter calling on the Government to set out a clear timetable for the re-introduction of ‘meaningful visits’ from loved ones for people living in care homes, where at least 70% of residents have dementia.

Its new campaign – ‘Wait until May? No Way!’ – highlights the importance of such visits which, it says, are vital to the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia.

Tragically, at the height of last year’s lockdown there was an additional unexplained rise in dementia deaths beyond those who died from the virus. 

An Alzheimer’s Society survey involving almost 2,000 respondents affected by dementia¹ shows that since being forced to stay isolated and inside their homes, more than four in five (82%) reported a deterioration in people with dementia’s symptoms. A third said they felt like ‘giving up’.

The nature of dementia is that if people are not using their skills, they quickly lose them. This includes basic cognitive functions like the ability to recognise family members, as well as communication skills such as remembering words or forming sentences.

Steve Green Alzheimer’s Society’s Area Manager for Cheshire, Isle of Man and Merseyside said:

“Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that Covid-19 death rates are now at their highest levels in care homes, and many residents have not seen their loved ones for almost a year. When visits have happened, they all too often fail to meet the needs of people with dementia.

“While progress on vaccinating care home residents is welcome, we are concerned that low vaccination rates for care home staff will further delay the re-introduction of meaningful visits for residents and their loved ones.

“This lack of contact from their loved ones means people with dementia are deteriorating at a much faster rate than they would otherwise. They are not just dying due to Covid-19. They are also dying from loneliness. 

“We need the public to sign our online letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, so care home residents can be reunited with their loved ones at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The letter can be accessed through the charity’s website alzheimers.org.uk/coronavirus-campaigns

It demands the Government prioritises care home visits as part of its upcoming roadmap to ease lockdown, expected to be revealed later this month.

Alzheimer’s Society insists family carers are an integral part of the care system and when removed, the essential care and wellbeing of the individual living with dementia.

It is not, says the charity, simply about being able to see someone in person and give them a hug. A family carer may be the only person allowed to brush their loved ones’ teeth when no-one else can get near, the only one who can get them to take medicine, to eat or drink. They act as both their voice and memory, articulating on their behalf and offering support like no one else can.

There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, including 20,095 (over 65s) in the Cheshire and Merseyside area.

Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The risk of spreading the virus must be balanced with the crucial need for social contact.

“Window visits simply don’t work for people with dementia, who are declining rapidly, losing their abilities to speak and be independent, and ultimately dying prematurely.

“Action must be swift to avoid further tragedy. All staff must swiftly be vaccinated, and testing, PPE and infection control measures used to enable safe visits – with a clear timeline for family carer vaccinations, what more is needed?”

1. Results from survey sent out via Alzheimer’s Society services between 05 June and 28 June 2020. The survey was completed online. In total, 1,831 people affected by dementia answered the survey, with variations in completion rate for different sections of the survey. People affected by dementia includes those living with the condition and people caring for those with the condition.
2. Last year, Alzheimer’s Society published Worst Hit – a report demonstrating the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on people living with dementia, their carers and loved ones. It revealed more than one-in-four of all Covid-19 deaths in the first wave were of people with dementia.
3. Anyone seeking advice and information about dementia can call Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456.
4. Information is also available on the charity’s website at alzheimers.org.uk and on its online community, Talking Point.

About Alzheimer’s Society:

• Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading dementia charity. We provide information and support, fund research, campaign to improve care and create lasting change for people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Dementia devastates lives. Alzheimer’s Society research shows that 850,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia.
• Dementia deaths are rising year on year and 225,000 will develop dementia this year - that’s one every three minutes.
• The total cost of care for people with dementia in the UK is £34.7billion. This is the equivalent of more than £40,000 per person with dementia.
• Alzheimer’s Society funds research into the cause, care, cure and prevention of all types of dementia, committing to spend at least £100 million on research over the next decade, and is a founding partner of the UK Dementia Research Institute.
• Until the day we find a cure, Alzheimer's Society will be here for anyone affected by dementia - wherever they are, whatever they're going through. Everything we do is informed and inspired by them.
• Let's take on dementia together. Volunteer. Donate. Campaign for change. Whatever you do, unite with us against dementia. 
• Alzheimer’s Society relies on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0330 333 0804 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.  
• Alzheimer’s Society provides the Dementia Connect support line (0333 150 3456)
• Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Alzheimerssoc and Like us on Facebook
• Alzheimer’s Society YouTube channel www.youtube.com/AlzheimersSociety