Death rates ‘a stark picture’
New figures on the number of deaths in people’s own homes “paint a stark picture” of the reality of dementia, a leading charity has said.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) there were 21,471 excess deaths in people’s own homes (England and Wales) in the first six months of this year, nearly 2,000 more than the same period last year. Over the same period, Alzheimer’s deaths were 98% above the five-year average (986 excess deaths) while dementia deaths were 51.3% up (1,086 excess deaths).
“These statistics paint a stark picture of the impact of dementia on our society,” said Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK. “We know how strained dementia services were even prior to the pandemic, with access to support becoming more challenging now with Covid-19 and the flu in circulation.
“Home can be a place of security for families with dementia, but without proper information and support if moves to hospital need to be considered, or care needs increase, then families can feel alone.”