Thank you for contacting me about dementia and coronavirus.
As you rightly point out, caring for loved ones who live with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia during this difficult time, particularly those who have needed to take on extra responsibilities, has been extraordinarily difficult. I know that the Government is working closely with partners, stakeholders, local authorities and the care sector to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on people with dementia and to identify what additional actions may be required to ensure safety, and access to the right support and care.
In addition, research was commissioned from the National Institute for Health Research how to manage or mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on people with dementia and their carers living in the community. The research has considered the best ways to support people to stay well during the outbreak, including help to manage the psychological and social impacts of social distancing, self-isolation, and lockdown. You can find more information, including summary leaflets, here: http://www.idealproject.org.uk/covid/
Care Home Visits: I know what an incredibly difficult time this must be for those with loved ones in care homes and my heart goes out to everyone separated from their loved ones. The Government’s aim throughout this pandemic has been to keep people in care homes safe and well, while seeking clinical guidance on how visits can be conducted safely.
Visiting is a central part of care home life and it is crucially important for maintaining health and wellbeing and quality of life for residents. In light of falling cases of COVID-19 and the excellent progress of our vaccination programme, which has seen every eligible care home resident and staff in the country offered a jab, I am delighted that indoor visiting opportunities are once again possible. This is an important and much welcome first step towards a return to normality.
As of 12 April, care home residents can be visited indoors by two named individuals, who will be able to hold hands with the person they are visiting. The named individuals will be required to have a test beforehand, wear PPE during the visit and avoid other close contact. As well as this, residents with the highest needs, where close personal contact from a loved one is critical for their immediate health and wellbeing, are also now able to nominate an essential care giver, with whom they can have closer physical contact. Care Givers will be supported to follow the same testing arrangements, and the same PPE and infection control arrangements, as care home staff.
This is a most welcome step and a top priority. The Government believes that the measures it has taken, following advice, represent a balance between the risk of infections and the importance of visiting for the physical and mental wellbeing of residents and their families.
Outdoor, pod and screen visits will be able to continue in line with the published guidance which has been in place during lockdown, meaning there will be chances for residents to see more than just the one person they nominate. Visiting will unfortunately have to be suspended in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 at the individual care home.
Care home visiting should be supported wherever it is possible to do so safely and I know care homes across England are working hard to facilitate visits in line with the new guidance. Ultimately, care home managers are best placed to decide how their care home can best enable visiting. If you have particular concerns about visiting a care home in my constituency, I would be happy to work with you, and them, to facilitate visiting opportunities which will benefit you and your loved ones.
I share the Government’s commitment to bringing an end to the pain of separation and to help care homes bring families and loved ones together. Recognising the importance of visiting for the wellbeing of residents and those who visit them, I know that the Government is working to enable more visiting in care homes as soon as it is safe to do so.
I will continue to monitor this situation and any developments in relation to the guidelines and the various proposals for legislation.
Think Brain Health Campaign: Only one third of people in the UK realise that it is possible to reduce their risk of dementia and I am aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle to overall brain health. The Government is strongly committed to improving awareness of these issues and I will support measures that ensure wider knowledge of the steps we can all take to reduce the risk of dementia, Think Brain Health being an excellent example of such measures.
Vaccine refusal: The vaccine has been shown to be both safe and effective, and as such I urge everyone to get vaccinated.
The Government has stated that the priority at the moment is rolling out the vaccine to those who need it the most as quickly as possible. While I understand that a range of options are being considered to encourage people to receive the vaccine, the Government does not plan to make the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory.
Antipsychotics: I understand that antipsychotics have been prescribed for some patients with dementia for some time, though only in cases where they are at risk of harming themselves or others, or if they are severely distressed, and alongside other treatments or activities. The risks and benefits of taking an antipsychotic should always be discussed with the person with dementia, where possible, and any carer.
I would certainly be interested to learn more about the use of antipsychotics for patients with dementia during the pandemic, particularly in view of the article in the Lancet on this issue.
I agree that we should do everything we can to offer support to people with long term health conditions, as well as those who support them, throughout this difficult time, and I will certainly continue to monitor this issue closely.
Anyone who wishes to raise specific problems with me relating to their own situation or that of a loved one, please contact my office and we will explore what help we can offer.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
April 2021