Thousands of people who lived with dementia have died earlier than expected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is likely not due to the virus itself, but due to the complications caused by isolation.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 30,248 more dementia-related deaths than average between February to October, compared to data from 2015 to 2019. And in Michigan alone, 1,362 more people than expected died from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. This is 17.8% more than anticipated.
Cognitive deterioration is occurring at a faster rate. The UK Alzheimer’s Society reported that 82% of people living with dementia surveyed showed increased memory loss, agitation, and difficulty with concentration.
Experts are still determining the exact cause of these deaths. However, the staggering numbers only underscore the importance of a holistic approach to dementia care during COVID-19. Especially one that also prioritizes daily happiness, dignity, and quality of life.
If you are currently caring for your loved one with dementia at home, it’s important to strike a balance between their needs and your own.
The pandemic’s toll on people living with dementia
There are various factors that may have contributed to the increase in dementia-related deaths have been considered.
A lack of access to testing, especially during the early days of COVID-19, may have resulted in the inaccurate recording of deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
COVID-19 has also made accessing health care more complicated. Many people have postponed hospital visits or check-ups with their physicians out of fear of contracting the virus. Delayed medical care poses even more health risks for seniors and immunocompromised people.
Also, the pandemic has overwhelmed care facilities even further. Already overworked caregivers have had to contend with increased safety measures. This is on top of the complex needs of dementia care during COVID-19. Surges in infections, especially in nursing homes, have compromised the capacity of already understaffed institutions.
Fatal isolation
Social isolation, changes in routine, and a lack of stimulation also continue to increase these numbers.
Safety measures are in place to contain the fatal spread of COVID-19 among the vulnerable elderly. However, seniors are struggling with boredom and loneliness after the ban of in-person visits and the strict limitation of interactions with their communities.
This has been especially difficult for many individuals living with dementia. Many rely on a few close friends and relatives who best understand their needs and preferences. However, the pandemic has forced them to live without the in-person support of these key people.
Experts have also linked loneliness to serious physical and mental complications such as memory loss and cognitive decline. The lack of interaction deprives people of emotional and social stimulation that contribute to the brain’s resilience.
The pandemic isn’t just hard on people with dementia. Many caregivers are overwhelmed and cut off from their support systems. They are also forced to deal with care responsibilities alone and without the forms of respite that they previously utilized.
Helping your loved one cope
For people with loved ones staying in nursing homes, the lack of contact can be very distressing. Maintaining connections is an important aspect of dementia care during COVID-19. Ask your loved one’s facility if they have safe options for interactions and visitations, such as window visits, or video calls.
It’s also good to coordinate with the staff to ensure care plans address your loved one’s interests, preferences, and quirks.
If you are currently caring for your loved one with dementia at home, it’s important to strike a balance between their needs and your own. Various therapeutic activities for people with dementia can keep both of you happy and entertained.
Take up a new hobby, or watch a dementia-friendly movie together. Also, consider socially distant activities such as a walk around a quiet neighborhood.
When things get hard, it’s okay to acknowledge that you are feeling overwhelmed, tired, or stressed. More importantly, it’s perfectly fine to seek support. Dementia home care services, for example, help you attend to your loved one’s daily needs through personalized care plans, while ensuring that they remain safely at home.
If another family member is caring for your loved one with dementia, offer to take over care duties even for a day to allow them much-needed respite. In providing dementia care during COVID-19, however, make sure to observe health and safety protocols before such an arrangement to prevent the spread of the virus.
However, if visits aren’t possible at all, even just checking in with them virtually can make a big difference. Regular connections with caregivers can retain the support and sense of community they may have lost when the pandemic started.
In conclusion
There is hope yet, as the COVID-19 vaccine begins to be rolled out across the world. Nursing home residents and staff members have been given vaccination priority. Inoculations are now underway in care facilities across the United States. In some areas, facilities are slowly opening up to in-person visits, albeit with strict observance of safety protocols.
The worst might finally be over, but each of us must still exercise caution for the welfare of the most vulnerable among us. Even the best vaccines are not 100% effective, so we all must do our part to drive down the spread of the disease.
Our high-risk loved ones are safest when they are both vaccinated and not exposed to the virus. Wear a mask, keep your distance from others, always wash your hands—these simple steps can bring us into a better future where we can share laughs and hug our loved ones once again.
Update on the Delta variant as of August 2021
While vaccinations have helped to curb the spread of COVID-19 infections among nursing home residents, staff, and the older population, the rise of the Delta variant continues to put seniors and people with pre-existing conditions at risk.
According to the CDC, the Delta variant is responsible for 83% of current COVID-19 cases in the United States. It is nearly twice as contagious as previous variants and may cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. Unvaccinated people also bear the greatest risk of contracting and transmitting the virus to others.
Delta can cause different symptoms compared to other variants. People infected with the Delta variant may display cold or allergy-like symptoms such as headaches, runny nose, and sore throat.
The COVID-19 vaccine remains to be the best way to protect you and your loved ones against the Delta variant. Continue to wear masks, especially indoors and in public places, to reduce the risk of transmission and infection.