Lockdowns during the pandemic have had severe consequences for the elderly, including depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, according to Caroline Abrahams, the director of Age UK. She stated that the charity had to provide additional training to helpline staff to handle distressed callers, which was a new occurrence that emerged during and after the pandemic. Abrahams emphasized that the lockdowns had taken a toll on older people. The restrictions caused anxiety, loss of confidence, physical stiffness, muscle wasting, and difficulty in mobility.
During the inquiry, Abrahams discussed the written statement she had submitted earlier, where she mentioned that the charity’s staff had received extensive reports of neglect, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, malnutrition, and substance misuse among older people at home. She explained that many elderly individuals were scared to leave their homes and even canceled care services to avoid infection. Moreover, the lack of personal protective equipment at the beginning of the pandemic led to interruptions in medical care and other essential services, resulting in inadequate treatment or over-medication of patients.
Abrahams shared a distressing case where a woman with severe back pain couldn’t access support from her regular doctor. After being checked in her garden by a doctor who misdiagnosed her, she later found that her spine had been fractured in four places with no follow-up after the X-ray. The pandemic also affected care home residents with dementia as memory clinics and other activities they would normally attend were suspended. This led to increased medication doses and the administration of drugs with serious side effects.
Abrahams expressed sympathy for the carers and families who faced difficulties in finding help for their loved ones who were profoundly unwell for long periods of time. She mentioned that Age UK believed this situation would lead to neglect, abuse, and enormous distress for both carers and the people being cared for. Day centers, which provided a safe outlet for dementia patients and respite for carers, were forced to close during the pandemic, and many have not reopened, creating an ongoing problem.
Abrahams criticized the government’s response to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as “deeply inadequate.” She stated that Age UK had foreseen the devastating impact of a lockdown on elderly people in care homes, especially those with dementia and physical health issues. However, there appeared to be a misunderstanding from policymakers. The charity’s usual dialogue with the government had largely ceased, and they had to communicate their advice through the national media for several months.
Speaking about the government’s response to social care, Abrahams mentioned that things improved when Sir David Pearson was appointed to address the issues. He became the bridge that had been lacking between the charity and the government.