The number of deaths from Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia is up by double digits 鈥� and advocates are concerned.
鈥淲e have noticed a significant increase,鈥� said Carter Harrison, director of state affairs for the .
Compared with averages over the previous five years, Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia deaths in 2020 jumped by more than 22% in Virginia, nearly 18% in Maryland and 16% nationwide.
鈥淭hese are not just deaths that occurred because of COVID-19; we don鈥檛 have the data to support that completely,” Harrison said. “These are deaths that were not expected from Alzheimer鈥檚 disease that increased during that period.”
While people with Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia tend to be older, are likely to live in communal settings and often have underlying chronic conditions that put them at higher risk for the virus, Harrison said more research into the death increase is needed.
鈥淲e would want to know why this increase has occurred and what steps we can take to prevent it from continuing to occur now and in future situations that are similar to this COVID-19,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are very much concerned about it.鈥�
In the meantime, Harrison recommends that loved ones be actively involved: communicate with the facility or at-home helper and carefully monitor the Alzheimer鈥檚 and dementia patient鈥檚 health and situation to ensure are being followed.
鈥淰igilance on the part of the caregivers is what I would recommend the most,鈥� he said.
The last month for improving state and federal responses to COVID-19 in long-term care settings. The guidance was largely reflected in passed by Virginia鈥檚 General Assembly, according to Harrison.
鈥淚 would also say similarly in Maryland, although there was not a special session, the governor鈥檚 office and the state agencies took 鈥� Harrison said.
You can find information, support resources and ways to get involved on the .
