Assessments for dementia have been cut by a third during the pandemic – leaving those with memory loss missing out on NHS help.
People worried they may have the condition are ‘living in uncertainty and fear’, a charity has warned.
There were 19,393 assessments for dementia in September, down from 28,641 in an average month before Covid-19, revealed analysis of NHS data by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The number of people diagnosed with dementia is down by over 32,000 since the original lockdown.
In the face of growing concerns about lack of appointments, the number of GP evaluations has dropped by 30% from 23,986 and 16,800.
In light of the possibility that some serious illnesses are not being detected, The Daily Mail has called for an increase in consultations.
The NHS suggested that referrals could have also fallen due to people being nervous about seeing a doctor during the peak of the pandemic.
Fiona Carragher, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘It’s tragic the pandemic has left thousands living with increasingly severe symptoms of dementia, but completely in the dark about what’s causing them, living in uncertainty and fear.
“Many struggle even to visit their GP let alone a specialist.
‘People with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus, accounting for more than a quarter of all deaths.’
Those worried they may have the condition are ‘living in uncertainty and fear’, a charity has warned
WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROSES THE MEMORIES OF SUFFERS
The umbrella term dementia is used to refer to a variety of neurological disorders.
A GLOBAL CONCERN
A broad term that describes a variety of neurological conditions (those that affect the brain), called dementia, is used to refer to a wide range of cognitive disorders. They can impact thinking, memory and behavior.
There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
There may also be a mixture of both types of dementia.
No matter what type of dementia is being diagnosed, every person experiences their dementia differently.
Although dementia is an issue worldwide, it’s most common in wealthy countries where older people live longer.
WHAT GENERATION OF PEOPLE IS AFFECTED
The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.
The UK’s dementia population is expected to rise by more than 1 million people in 2025, according to estimates.
It is estimated that there are approximately 5.5 million Alzheimer’s patients in the United States. The future is predicted to see a similar rise in this percentage.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Although the rate of dementia diagnosis is improving, many patients are still not diagnosed.
Is there a cure?
There are currently no treatments for dementia.
However, new drugs are able to slow down the process and make it more difficult.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
According to statistics, the amount of those diagnosed with this condition has declined by over 32,000 since the initial lockdown.
Nearly 850,000 UK residents have dementia, although not everyone is diagnosed. It is important that assessments be done to rule out any other potential causes for confusion such as hearing loss.
There has been an objective for 2/3 of people with dementia to get diagnosed by 2012 but it is currently at 62%.
The Alzheimer’s Society study of figures from NHS Digital also show assessments at memory clinics fell by more than half in September compared with an average pre-Covid month from 4,655 to 2,593.
An NHS spokesman said: ‘The number of referrals to memory clinics is back to pre-pandemic levels and the NHS is offering support to patients and families while they wait for a diagnosis.’
Black cab drivers’ brains are being scanned by researchers at University College London to learn more about ‘disorientation in people with early Alzheimer’s disease’
Black cab drivers are being studied for clues about Alzheimer’s. Cabbies in London who complete ‘The Knowledge’ commit 26,000 streets to memory.
Studies show a navigational centre in their brain – the posterior hippocampus – is larger as a result.
Now researchers led by University College London are scanning drivers’ brains as they map out the fastest routes across the city.
Hugo Spiers, professor of cognitive neuroscience, said: ‘The brain changes of people with the best navigational skills could help us to learn more about the disorientation in people with early Alzheimer’s disease, who get lost easily.’