Deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at home increased 79 percent in the pandemic

New figures show that deaths from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in private homes in England rose by 79% during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Office for National Statistics said that 2,095 excess deaths from these cases were recorded between March 14 and September 11.

This is an increase of 79% compared to the average recorded for the same period over the past five years.

In Wales, there was a rise of 94%, with 133 excess deaths that included dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

There were 24,387 excess deaths in private homes in England and 1644 in Wales compared to the five-year average between March 14 and September 11.

The numbers show the leading cause of death in private homes during Covid-19 is ischemic heart disease.

In England, males accounted for 53.8% of the excess deaths in private homes, with men and women between the ages of 70 and 89 the majority.

The main cause of death for men was heart disease, which was responsible for 19% of all male deaths in private homes.

Male mortality at home due to heart disease has increased by 26% in England compared to a five-year average (1705 additional deaths), with fewer deaths in hospital.

Deaths due to prostate cancer saw the largest percentage change from the five-year average – a 53% increase (801 additional deaths)

Bowel cancer deaths increased by 46%.

In Wales, deaths in private homes for males due to heart disease were 23% higher than the five-year average, prostate cancer deaths increased by 75%, and bowel cancer deaths increased by 52%.