ONS figures show care home deaths still around 49 per cent higher than normal - Alzheimer’s Society comment

Updated figures from the Office for National Statistics today show the number of care home deaths due to Covid-19 in England and Wales:

• Data from the week ending  29 May 2020 shows that there were 1,822 total Covid-19 deaths registered in that week, which shows a decrease of 767 from the previous week.
• However, 2,503 people died in care homes from any cause, which is 49% higher than expected based on looking at the five year average.

Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society said:

'From the start, people with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus, with thousands dying from both the virus and its wider impact. While we’re seeing a decrease in care home deaths today, they are 49 per cent higher than normal –  likely to result from a combination of social isolation, reduced staffing levels, and interruptions to health services.  We must not become complacent, as people with dementia’s lives are still at risk.

The Government’s new Social Care Taskforce must address the complex needs of people with dementia in this crisis, and its first urgent task should be to understand why so many people with dementia have died since the pandemic started.

'With the threat of a second spike lessons must be learnt, and quickly, to prevent further tragedy.'

Donate to Alzheimer’s Society’s Emergency Appeal at alzheimers.org.uk/coronavirus-appeal to help fund increasing demand via our Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456, to support people with dementia during this difficult time.