End of Life | Alzheimer's Society

Biggest killer in the UK is now COVID-19, but deaths from dementia remain high

Annual statistics report COVID-19 as the UK’s biggest killer, moving dementia to second for the first time since 2015. But deaths from dementia remain high compared with other major diseases. We explore why.

28 Jul 2021

Research

News

Alzheimer's Society comments on ONS figures showing dementia as the leading cause of death in England ahead of Coronavirus in March 2021

Dementia is again the leading cause of death in the UK, ONS numbers show

Research

Supporting conversations about end-of-life care

Research project: Advance care planning in dementia: Improving GP consultations and development of a support programme for general practitioners (Consult-GP)

Real stories

Compassion and connection: End of life support for people with dementia

End of life doulas support people with dementia to complete their lives in peace and contentment.

31 March 2021

News

Alzheimer's Society responds to CQC interim report on DNACPRs

The charity responds to findings that DNARs were applied without consent or discussion with families.

News

Alzheimer's Society responds to ONS report on 2019 dementia and Alzheimer's disease deaths

Alzheimer's Society reflects on analysis stating that in 2019 there were fewer dementia-related deaths.

Research

Patient and public involvement in palliative care: Challenges and opportunities

Margaret Ogden, Alzheimer’s Society Research Network volunteer and Halle Johnson, patient and public involvement coordinator at the Cicely Saunders Institute share their experiences of working together to evaluate patient and public involvement in palliative care.

29 October 2020

Real stories

Anne’s story: ‘Dementia has taken its toll, but I’m grateful for our final month together’

As coronavirus spread across the UK in February, Anne Davies was given the option to stay with her husband Allen in the care home where he lived. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to visit him otherwise, Anne moved in to be with Allen in what turned out to be his final weeks.

25 June 2020

Advice

End of life care during coronavirus while in a care home

Some people with dementia in a care home who fall very seriously ill with coronavirus will receive palliative care, most commonly used at the end of a person’s life. This advice for friends and family may be distressing to read but we hope it is helpful to know.

News

ONS report shows 52% increase in excess deaths of people dying of dementia – Alzheimer’s Society comments

Alzheimer's Society shares a comment on a new report from the Office for National Statistics showing 52% increase in excess deaths of people dying of dementia.

News

Office for National Statistics figures show care home deaths are still 66% higher than normal – Alzheimer’s Society comments

Alzheimer's Society shares a comment on the new ONS figures that show the number of people with dementia who have died due to Covid-19 is 66% higher than normal.

News

Coronavirus, dementia and the higher risks: People with dementia must be better protected

New data has shown dementia is the most common pre-existing condition found among deaths involving COVID-19. Risks for people living with dementia are greater than ever and Alzheimer's Society won't stop until people living with dementia are better protected.

News

Office of National Statistics figures show dementia is main underlying condition for COVID-19 deaths

Alzheimer's Society shares a comment on the new ONS figures that show the number of people with dementia who have died due to COVID-19.

Dementia Connect support line

Biggest killer in the UK is now COVID-19, but deaths from dementia remain high

Alzheimer's Society comments on ONS figures showing dementia as the leading cause of death in England ahead of Coronavirus in March 2021

Supporting conversations about end-of-life care

Compassion and connection: End of life support for people with dementia

Alzheimer's Society responds to CQC interim report on DNACPRs

Alzheimer's Society responds to ONS report on 2019 dementia and Alzheimer's disease deaths

Patient and public involvement in palliative care: Challenges and opportunities

Anne’s story: ‘Dementia has taken its toll, but I’m grateful for our final month together’

End of life care during coronavirus while in a care home

ONS report shows 52% increase in excess deaths of people dying of dementia – Alzheimer’s Society comments

Office for National Statistics figures show care home deaths are still 66% higher than normal – Alzheimer’s Society comments

Coronavirus, dementia and the higher risks: People with dementia must be better protected

Office of National Statistics figures show dementia is main underlying condition for COVID-19 deaths