HERE IS one of the saddest figures in connection with the devastating effects of Corona Madness. In England and Wales, 10,000 more dementia patients than usual died in April. None of them had the virus.

They apparently died from lack of social contact and adequate medical care, which would have been reduced because family members were not permitted to visit and exercise their normal vigilance. The Guardian reports:

Gavin Terry, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Society, said that isolation can be devastating as family members and friends often play a crucial role in maintaining the health of people with dementia by bringing them meals, taking them out regularly to exercise and keeping people socially engaged. Withdrawing this support can cause people to rapidly go downhill, he said. “We’re hearing that some people are ‘just giving up’ or ‘switching off’ and not eating or drinking,” he said.

Facilities continue to be under lockdown.

Trevor Salomon, 67, whose wife Yvonne, 64, is in a care home in London and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when she was 57, said that the pandemic has led to dramatic changes in his wife’s care. “The familiar faces of family and friends are gone, and carers are behind masks and can’t touch or comfort the residents,” he said. “Yvonne has lost her sparkle, she’s in a world she doesn’t understand. The staff at the care home are doing an amazing job looking after the residents, but we’ve only got video calls to keep in touch, and Yvonne doesn’t always understand them. If lockdown continues, I’m really fearful my wife won’t be able to recognise me at the end of all this.”

Sad beyond words.

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