Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: Coronavirus

(asked on 12th June 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the effect of social isolation on people with (a) Dementia and (b) Alzheimer’s disease during the covid-19 outbreak, and what steps his Department has taken to support those people.


Answered by
Helen Whately Portrait
Helen Whately
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 19th June 2020

Keeping people safe throughout this period is the Government’s top priority. Limiting visits in care homes have been advised in order to maintain infection control. Alternatives to in-person visiting, including use of telephones or video have been recommended as means of keeping in touch.

We are aware that limiting visits in care homes is difficult for many families and residents who want to see their loved ones. We are reviewing our policy on visitors and will look to update our guidance shortly.

We have also commissioned research on how to manage or mitigate the psychological, physical and social impact of COVID-19 on people with dementia living in the community, and their carers. Work has already started with phased outputs to August 2020.

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