COVID19 AND DEMENTIA

I participated in a debate on the effects of the Covid19 pandemic on those living with dementia, where I highlighted the difficulties in balancing the need to protect those at high risk from Covid19, while trying to avoid the often devastating effect that isolation causes for our older people and their families. I know from witnessing the condition of my own mother-in-law’s dramatic decline covid19 can wreak on those living with dementia.

The isolation created by Covid19 for all of us has had a particularly dramatically adverse impact on those with dementia as they are cut off from the kind of social stimulation we all need. The risk of Covid19 and dementia is an especially cruel combination for our older people shown by the fact that the average of those dying after being infected by Covid19 are aged 83 years old.

You can watch my speech below.