This is a shocking article on care homes across Europe (incl U.K.). Carl Heneghan is one of the writers, he’s a scientist and has a good Twitter account.
‘A study in France found that in care homes with excess deaths acute respiratory distress (covid) was not the primary problem — deaths were mainly due to hypovolemic shock, or fluid loss. Confined to their rooms in lockdown, with staff absences running at 40 per cent and with a consequent reduction in the usual support, residents were dying of thirst.’
It’s presuming this is replicated across Europe.
‘In old age people tend to lose their sensation of thirst, which makes them susceptible to dehydration unless they are reminded and encouraged to drink by staff or family. Dementia further exacerbates the problem, as sufferers can forget to eat and drink altogether and often cannot communicate their needs. Dehydration leads to worsening delirium and confusion, which further limits communication. For such people, having carers around is a matter of life and death.
Contact between carers and the elderly was reduced because of the virus, families weren’t allowed to visit. With medical attention focused on slowing the spread of Covid-19 in the community at large, care home residents were denied basic care. Lockdown did nothing to impede deaths in the place where they were most likely to happen.
Out of sight, the elderly have remained out of mind. Many homes were already not fit for purpose. The extra confinement which came with the Covid-19 panic has proved deadly. For the sake of a drink, in many cases, the elderly have died in their droves.’
Sorry it’s so long but I just find it so terrible, the elderly weren’t protected by the lockdown so what on earth was the point? What an utter shit show.