People with dementia 'worst hit' by Covid

A group of charities have teamed up to call for better support for people with dementia.

More than 3,500 people with dementia are thought to have died from coronavirus in the last year in the East of England. Alzheimer's Society say that they are the worst hit by the pandemic. 

One of the hardest things for families in the region has been the separation. No contact with loved ones and no visitors allowed into care homes, but from next Monday (8 March) that is set to change.

The change in visiting has come too late for Keith Crofton from Norfolk, whose wife, Pat, died in December. 

Pat was diagnosed with vascular dementia when she was 59 - she lived with the condition for five years. Her health deteriorated even further after catching coronavirus. 

Only because of end of life care could Keith and his two daughters visit.

Keith was able to visit his wife during end of life care Credit: Crofton family

Keith is now calling for more support for families and more research into the condition.

The coalition of dementia organisations including Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, John’s Campaign and TIDE, say people should never face what they have during this pandemic.

Some of what they have called for:

  • Close contact indoor visits without delay from 8 March;

  • An end to blanket bans on care home visits where there is no active outbreak;

  • A recognition that family carers are integral to the care system;

  • Vaccination priority for family carers, and a registration system in GPs