With Covid-19 deaths dropping drastically since its peak in 2020, dementia has returned as the leading cause of death in the UK, accounting for 11.9% of all deaths in England in Januaryⁱ. Now that the pandemic has subsided, dementia remains the biggest threat to the elderly and a priority for the health sector to tackle. We need to re-think how we deal with this, consider fresh approaches and the use of new technologies to try and address the alarming rise in dementia cases.

Dementia cases are expected to increase over the next few decades, growing to an overwhelming 150 million by 2050, three times higher than todayⁱⁱ. The pandemic has already increased the strain on health and care workers, building up a backlog of 50,000 undiagnosed dementia casesⁱⁱⁱ. According to recent research for World Alzheimer’s Month by Social-Ability, Founder and Managing Director John Ramsay, 82% of people feel that the sector is unable to cope with a further rise in demand for dementia cases. Therefore, it is crucial that the backlog is tackled and the infrastructure for dementia care is in place to cope with an increase in cases.

Receiving timely diagnoses

The backlog of undiagnosed dementia cases reflects the drop in diagnoses since the start of the pandemic. Dementia diagnosis assessments have fallen by up to 50% since 2019, with GP assessments falling by 38% and memory assessment services (MAS) falling by 50%^iv. This affects people who urgently need a diagnosis in order to receive care and treatment, and have to wait months for a referral instead. In order to keep the care sector afloat, dementia must be diagnosed early and care has to be proactive, or else we risk a backlog that will continue building up.

An overwhelmed care system

Diagnosis is not the only area that has suffered throughout the pandemic. Dementia care monitoring has drastically fallen, with people who received an annual medication review between 2020 and 2021 dropping by 55%, and people who received an annual care plan in the same time frame dropping by 36%^v. Without annual care plans and dementia reviews, people with dementia and their carers will be unable to access support and preventative care if symptoms progress.

Utilising technology

While dementia funding desperately needs to be increased, it is also important that the money is allocated appropriately. Currently, the NHS spends £250m a year on medication for care home residents living with dementia^vi. Instead of spending such a vast sum on overmedicating care home residents, a portion of this money could be invested in preventative care and holistic therapies that support residents both physically and mentally, and reduce the workload of care workers.

Developments in technology such as artificial intelligence have the potential to assist people with dementia, and one such example of innovation is Social-Ability’s Happiness Programme. The Happiness Programme uses interactive light technology to support residents through games that facilitate the use of cognitive, motor and social skills to keep residents active and happy. Such technologies are invaluable in assisting the care system, and by working together, we can give those with dementia the happiness and care they deserve.