Older people living with dementia are particularly vulnerable during infectious disease outbreaks. From the start of the pandemic to 29 July 2022, there have been just under 3,400 deaths due to COVID-19 in residential aged care facilities (DHAC 2022), where it is thought over half of people have dementia (AIHW 2022).
In addition to being exposed to outbreaks in aged care homes, older people living with dementia are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe COVID-19 for several reasons, including that people with dementia often have numerous comorbidities and may have difficulties understanding and following public health recommendations. This makes people with dementia a particularly vulnerable group during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with dementia are also substantial, and include accelerated cognitive decline, more severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and disruptions in the provision of healthcare and other services.
COVID-19 deaths among people with dementia
The ABS publishes COVID-19 mortality estimates as the pandemic continues to evolve in Australia and worldwide. In late 2021, Australia had its first nationwide outbreak of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with the Omicron variant infecting people in all states and territories.
Between the start of the pandemic and 30 June 2022, there have been just over 7,000 deaths due to COVID-19 registered. Just over two thirds (68%) of these have occurred in 2022 alone.
Out of these, just under 5,400 had a pre-existing condition reported on the death certificate. Of these deaths, 31% had dementia recorded, making it the second most common pre-existing condition after chronic cardiac conditions (38%) (ABS 2022a).