High mortality at dementia housing in Västmanland

In SVT's review of the mortality rate, the region of Västmanland is second only to Stockholm, in terms of the mortality rate in elderly housing during the period examined.

- I expect Covid-19 morbidity to start to decline here in Västmanland, but so far the hospital is quite stable. In any case, this is not an upward trend, says Åke Tenerz.

He says he does not think there is any contradiction between SVT's figures and the National Board of Health and Welfare's statement on redundancy, because if you look at the whole country, the situation is not as dramatic. But that does not mean that Åke Tenerz does not see the seriousness of the situation. He points out that some homes in particular have been hit hard, while others have not been affected at all.

- The experience we have from Västerås is that it is the most severely affected dementia residents. It is more difficult to cope with the spread of infection in a dementia home, he says and continues:

- I do not know how it is in the whole country, but here we see that where we have a large number of dementia, it is more difficult.

He also says that at the beginning of the epidemic it was difficult to recognize the symptoms. Every week, Åke Tenerz meets with people in similar positions in other regions, where they exchange experiences.

- Initially, there were diffuse symptoms. In Stockholm it came earlier, and in Västerås it came quite early. Clearly you learn things. Those who are behind in the process can learn from those who have already been affected, he says.