Among those most severely affected by the pandemic, Scots living with dementia and their loved ones are being promised greater access to support services in a new government strategy.

Nine months after the first lockdown, the Scottish government has pledged increased access to respite and community services and post-diagnostic support for people with dementia and their families.

Published today, the dementia recovery plan states unpaid carers of loved ones with dementia will have access to government-funded NHS mental health services and counselling support through the charity Alzheimer Scotland.

At the height of the pandemic earlier this year deaths from Alzheimer’s and dementia were 25% higher than would normally be expected, prompting calls for an investigation into the “extremely concerning” figures.

A Dementia Champions Programme outlined in the plan promises to enhance dementia care in hospital and community care settings. No new money for services is included in the plan, but previous funding announcements are cited, including £100m allocated as part of the government’s winter social care battle plan.

It comes after consultation with over 100 organisations and individuals involved in dementia care.

While technology had been used by many to help them stay connected during the pandemic, the consultation heard many people could not communicate in this way and had become increasingly isolated, with some experiencing undiagnosed depression, anxiety and other mental health issues as a result.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said the plan was designed to help families and sufferers who will have to deal with the “legacy” of the pandemic even after the virus recedes:

“The covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people with dementia and their carers, who have had to cope with the necessary suspension of many normal services – not to mention the emotional consequences caused by the necessary restrictions to visiting loved ones in care homes.

“During engagement on the development of this recovery plan, we have listened to individual experiences including those of declining physical and mental health, social isolation and the impact of delayed referrals into post-diagnostic services during the course of the pandemic.

“While we are hopeful that the direct impact of the pandemic will recede next year, individuals and families may continue to experience additional issues associated with its impact and legacy.

“This plan sets out our co-ordinated response to those issues and how we will work together to support people in the months and years ahead.”

COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Stuart Currie said he hopes many of the services provided by councils, the third and independent sectors that changed to over-the-phone or digital provision during lockdown will return to their original in-person form.

Welcoming the plan Alzheimer Scotland’s Director of Policy and Research Jim Pearson said: "Throughout this pandemic we have transformed how we work to continue to support tens of thousands of people with dementia and those who care for them in alternative ways.

"Through this support we have heard first hand of the impact this pandemic and the public health restrictions have caused them.

"Alzheimer Scotland have fully engaged in the consultation for this plan and have supported the engagement of people with dementia and carers to ensure their experiences have informed its development.

"It is critical, particularly as we enter a period of further restrictions that this plan, along with existing commitments, is implemented across Scotland to ensure a better balance between protecting people with dementia and carers from the virus, and the harms that we now know are caused by the public health measures."

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