Scotland: Sedation to manage ‘lockdown distress’ may have led to dementia deaths
Sedation to manage ‘lockdown distress’ may have led to dementia deaths | Glasgow Times | 18 July 2020
Figures show in all the deaths involving Covid-19 between March and June 2020, 92% had at least one pre-existing condition with dementia accounting for almost a third.
During one week in April there was a doubling in the death rates of Scots with dementia, compared to last year.
Altzheimer Scotland said there is strong evidence that lockdown restrictions in care homes and hospitals led to increased levels of distress, . . . for people with dementia . . .
Jim Pearson, Director of Policy and Research for the charity, said: “ . . . there was a potential that they may be being sedated.”
. . . evidence that psychoactive medication can lead to higher levels of morbidity amongst people with dementia.