Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • e-learning
Worcestershire Association of Carers
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Helpline: 0300 012 4272     Monday - Friday: 9am to 7pm, Saturday: 9am to 12pm
Donate Refer a Carer Self-referral
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • The Difference We Make
    • What We Do
    • Recruitment
    • Membership
    • Our People
    • Our Partners
  • Carer Support
    • Am I a carer?
    • Carers Hub and Helpline
    • Emergency planning
    • Resources
    • Carer Training
    • Carer Wellbeing
    • Carer support groups
    • Herefordshire Carers
    • Specialist Services
      • End of Life Support
      • Mental Health Support
      • Long COVID Support
  • Have your say
    • Carer Voice
    • Levels of Involvement
      • Carer Reps
      • Experts by Experience
      • Online Engagement
    • Carers Partnership
    • Learning Disability
    • Safeguarding
    • Health Services
    • Parent Carer Forum
  • News & Events
    • What's On
    • Events Calendar
    • Stories and news
    • Caring News
  • Carer Friendly
    • Carer Friendly Employer Network
  • Support Us
    • Why Support Us
    • Fundraising
      • Worcester Community Lottery
      • Appeals
    • WAC Shop, Droitwich
  • Contact Us
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • e-learning
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Carer Support

Long COVID Carer Support


Jump to: 

  • Caring For Someone with Long COVID
  • Long COVID Carers Survey
  • What is Long COVID?
  • Symptoms of Long COVID
  • Diagnosing Long COVID
  • Treatment, support and recovery
  • What is the NHS programme Your COVID Recovery?
  • Long Covid Support Groups
  • Employment and Finances
  • Long COVID Resources

Caring for someone with Long COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic saw many people relying on family members, friends and neighbours to help them with their physical and mental health and support them to manage their day-to-day life.

During 2020 it was noticed an increasing number of people were not recovering from the original infection and continued to experience prolonged and emerging, multiple and fluctuating symptoms. This is commonly referred to as Long COVID and as of 5th March 2022 “An estimated 1.7 million people living in private households in the UK (2.7% of the population) were experiencing self-reported long COVID” (ONS April 2022).

There will be people with co morbidity, having Long COVID on top of other health conditions and those who were perfectly fit and healthy, now with Long COVID and each will have their own challenges and life changes. With evidence showing people more adversely affected and for longer, there is now a greater reliance on those family, friends and neighbours for support who also face challenges and life changes. However, many play down what they do and may not recognise themselves as a Carers.

Supporting Carers throughout the pandemic, Worcestershire Association of Carers are aware of the anxiety, physical stresses and uncertainty around Covid 19 and recognise that the nature of Long Covid will have great impact on Carers wellbeing.

Worcestershire Association of Carers now have a Long Covid Carer Advisor who can support you in supporting someone with Long COVID.

                              

   If you support someone with Long COVID and would like:

  • Support to navigate Long COVID Services
  • Quality information on understanding symptoms specific to the person you care for
  • Strategies to support the person you care for
  • Support to manage day to day issues as a result of caring, work, finances
  • Opportunity to discuss your specific situation
  • Validation
  • Support to manage your well-being
  • Resources and peer support   

Please call us via our helpline for a chat about  supporting someone with Long COVID and to get support in your caring role.

Carers Hub Helpline: 0300 012 4272

Monday – Friday: 9am to 7pm, Saturday: 9am to 12pm

            


Long COVID Carers Survey

We are interested how supporting someone with Long Covid is affecting you. If you are supporting someone with Long COVID please click on the link below to complete the survey:

https://forms.office.com/r/9SNWfxS94b

The survey is anonymous and the results will help us to further develop our Long COVID Carer resources and services.


What is Long COVID?

 “Long COVID” is an informal term that is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that continue or develop after an acute infection of COVID. Depending on how long you have ongoing symptoms for, it can be called one of 2 things:

Ongoing symptomatic COVID

This is where your symptoms continue for more than 4 weeks. If your symptoms last for longer than 12 weeks, it will then be called;

Post-COVID Syndrome

This is where your ongoing symptoms continue for longer than 12 weeks and cannot be explained by any alternative diagnosis.

www.yourCOVIDrecovery.nhs.uk

It will be helpful to learn as much as you can about Long COVID and strategies that you can undertake in supporting the recovery of the person you care for. https://www.yourCOVIDrecovery.nhs.uk/your-wellbeing/family-friends-and-carers/


Symptoms of Long COVID can be many and varied and can change over time.

The most commonly reported symptoms include (but are not limited to) the following:

Extreme tiredness (fatigue)                Shortness of breath                         Heart palpitations

Dizziness                                          Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)            Joint pain

Depression and anxiety                      Pins and needles                              Rashes

Tinnitus, earaches                             Chest pain or tightness

Problems with memory and concentration ("brain fog")

Stomach problems such as feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, or loss of appetite

Common COVID symptoms such as a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, or changes to sense of smell or taste

The symptoms of a pre-existing underlying health condition may also be exacerbated by COVID infection



Diagnosing Long Covid

If you think you or the person that you are caring for may have Long COVID contact your GP.

Your doctor will ask about your/their symptoms and the impact they are having on your/their life. They may suggest some tests to find out more about your/their symptoms and rule out other things that could be causing them.

These might include:

- blood tests                 - checking your blood pressure and heart rate                 - a chest X-ray                  

- further specialist investigations

It would be helpful to prepare for your visit to the G.P. Asthma and Lung UK have produced a useful aid which will help you document your symptoms, their severity and produce a report that can be printed  which you can give to your G.P. My Long COVID Needs | My Long COVID


Treatment, support and recovery

Your doctor will talk with you/them about the care and support that may be needed. This could be more tests, support or rehabilitation. 

A referral could be made to the Long COVID Assessment Clinic and there on into Specialist and Community Rehabilitation Services where you /they will be  supported by a range of health care professionals to manage symptoms, rehabilitation and aid recovery.

The support offered will depend on how your/their symptoms are affecting your/their life. Long COVID symptoms vary and fluctuate, so you/they might feel okay one moment but worse at others. Consequently, different types and levels of support may be needed at different times.

Advice may be given about how to manage and monitor symptoms at home and this may be supported by equipment and health professionals.

A referral may be made to an online NHS programme (Your COVID Recovery 2).


What is the NHS programme Your COVID Recovery?

Your COVID Recovery is an online NHS platform with two key components:

  • An open publicly available site containing general information on all aspects of recovering from COVID-19 including physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing. The site offers general advice on recovery, returning to work and information for families and carers of patients with post-COVID syndrome (also known as Long COVID). This website also includes a dedicated section for Family, Friends and Carers.

 

  • An online, interactive rehabilitation platform specifically for patients with post-COVID syndrome, (also known as Long COVID) that is tailored for individuals and requires referral and face to face assessment from a healthcare professional. The healthcare professional can interact and monitor the patient’s progress.

 


Long Covid Support Groups

  • Long COVID Carer Peer Support Group a monthly online facilitated open group. Contact our help line on Helpline: 0300 012 4272 to register or Contact | Worcestershire Association of Carers (carersworcs.org.uk) 

  • Long COVID Support is a peer support and advocacy group for people living with Long COVID. Their website includes helpful resources including symptom management, getting help, support groups, mental health and bereavement and useful resources. Home - Long Covid Support

 

  • Long COVID Support Group This is a private group for people with Long Covid (sometimes called long haul Covid, post-Covid syndrome, or PASC) or people who are caring for someone with Long Covid. You may have Long Covid if you haven't recovered from Covid after four (4) weeks.  Long Covid Support Group | Facebook

 

  • Long Covid Kids Our Purpose We believe all children should be able to thrive and look forward to a positive future. That is why we represent and support children and young people living with Long Covid and related illnesses and the parents and caregivers that look after them. Long Covid Kids

                                           

  • Long Covid Physio. Our website is for everybody living with Long COVID and anyone wanting to learn more. Reliable and accessible information is important when living with Long COVID.  We know that quick and easy access is also critical when you need it the most. Visit our QUICK ACCESS page to find what you need easily. Quick Access — Long COVID Physio

 

  • The Hope Programme is a range of face-to-face and digital courses, respectively, which empower people to manage their health and wellbeing and to flourish in their working and personal lives. HOPE PROGRAMME — Hope For The Community CIC (h4c.org.uk)

 


If you or the person you care for have Long COVID and are unable to work

  • If you are employed, you may be eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
  • If you’re not eligible or your SSP ends, you may be able to apply for Universal Creditor Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if long COVID affects how much you can work. ESA gives you money to help with living costs and support to get back into work if you are able to. You can also apply for Personal Independence Payment if you have difficulty with everyday tasks and getting around.
  • You can get a health and social care assessmentto find out what help you can get (for example equipment, home care, day centres) from your local council.

If you or the person you care for have Long COVID and need help to seek, return or stay in work

  • You can get support, training and advice on finding your next opportunity from JobHelpand Access to Work.
  • Employers and employees can get advice from theSociety of Occupational Medicine or ACAS on managing health conditions at work, returning to work after COVID-19 and sickness and absence because of long COVID.
  • You may need to ask your employer to makereasonable adjustments so you can continue to work while you recover

(Taken from Find help and support if you have Long COVID - Department of Health and Social Care Published 24 December 2021)

Find out what you could get

Use an independent benefits calculator to find out, what benefits you could get, how to claim or how your benefits will be affected if you start work

  • Benefits calculators


Long COVID Resources


    • Your COVID Recovery | Supporting your recovery after COVID-19 Your COVID Recovery | Supporting your recovery after COVID-19

     

    • Asthma + Lung UK (Formally The British Lung Foundation) has lots of advice and support for people who are living with breathing issues, such as breathlessness associated with Long COVID. They also have advice on eating well, staying active and dealing with your mental health, which you might find useful. Their team of respiratory specialists are available to support you with Long COVID breathlessness. Call 0300 222 5942 from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Long COVID | Asthma + Lung UK (blf.org.uk)

    My Long COVID Needs | My Long COVID

    My Long COVID Needs is designed to help you when explaining your Long COVID symptoms to your GP. You might want to print out your answers after you've finished your assessment, and take them with you to your GP appointment.

    Where to get help for physical concerns | My Long COVID

    Advice on where to get help for any physical concerns you may have while living with longer-term symptoms of COVID-19.

    Where to get help for practical or functional concerns | My Long COVID

    Advice on where to get help for any practical concerns you may have while living with longer-term symptoms of COVID-19.

    Where to get help for emotional or psychological concerns | My Long COVID

    Advice on where to get help for any emotional or psychological concerns you may have while living with longer-term symptoms of COVID-19.

     

    • English National Opera - ENO Breathe A breathing and wellbeing programme for people recovering from the effects of COVID-19. Referral needed by Long COVID Assessment Specialist where password will be given to access ENO site. eno.org/breathe/

     

    • The British Heart Foundation - Long COVID: the symptoms and tips for recovery. While coronavirus symptoms may pass quickly, some people are suffering long-term effects. We look at the symptoms of long COVID and offer some tips to help manage them. bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/long-COVID

     

    • Worcestershire Healthy Minds Supporting people aged 16 and over, who are experiencing difficulties such as stress, anxiety, low mood and depression. To access the service you must be aged 16 or over and registered with a GP in Worcestershire. We would encourage you to self-refer by completing the online self-referral form anytime. Alternatively, you can call: 0300 013 57 27 between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. healthyminds.whct.nhs.uk, www.healthyminds.whct.nhs.uk/guides

     

    • Rethink – Long COVID and Mental Health. Everyone’s experience of long COVID is different. Some people only have one symptom, but others might have many. How bad your symptoms are can vary. Long COVID can affect your mental health. rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/wellbeing-physical-health/long-COVID-and-mental-health/

     

    • Long COVID & ME/CFS: Information & Management by Dr Charles Shepherd - Information and guidance from The ME Association on Post-COVID Fatigue, Post-COVID Syndromes, Long COVID and the overlaps with ME/CFS https://meassociation.org.uk/2021/05/long-COVID-me-cfs-information-management-by-dr-charles-shepherd/

     

    • Worcestershire M.E. Social Group - ME/CFS & Post Coronavirus COVID-19. Post COVID-19 Fatigue; Post/Long COVID-19 Syndromes; Post-COVID ME/CFS. Explanations from ME charities plus recent news articles. https://worcsmegroup.weebly.com/blog/mecfs-post-coronavirus-COVID-192766778

     

    • Royal College of Occupational Therapist: How to manage post-viral fatigue after COVID-19 -Practical advice for people who have recovered at home rcot.co.uk/node/3540

     

    • Royal College of Occupational Therapist: How to conserve your energy - Practical advice for people during and after having COVID-19 rcot.co.uk/conserving-energy

     

    • Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service – advice for employers and employees. Long COVID symptoms could affect someone's ability to work or cause them to take sickness absence and prolong that return to the workplace. org.uk/long-COVID

     

    • Access to Work is a publicly funded employment support programme that aims to help more disabled people start or stay in work. It can provide practical and financial support if you have a disability or long term physical or mental health condition.  gov.uk/government/publications/access-to-work-factsheet/access-to-work-factsheet-for-customers#claiming-access-to-work-during-the-coronavirus-COVID-19-outbreak

     

    •  Benefits and financial support if you're caring for someone

    Find out what you could get

    • Benefits calculators

    Benefits and financial support

    • Carer's Allowance
    • Carer's Credit
    • Universal Credit
    • Pension Credit

     

    • If you have Long COVID and are unable to work Find help and support if you have long COVID - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

     

    • Lancashire COVID Patient Support is a resource that has been developed by a group of multi-disciplinary health professionals at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals. The purpose of the website is to support individuals with their initial recovery from COVID-19. It includes a range of exercises, advice and tips. https://COVIDpatientsupport.lthtr.nhs.uk/

      

    • Hereford and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust - Coronavirus and Mental Well being  www.hacw.nhs.uk/coronavirus-and-mental-wellbeing

     

    • You can now also access dedicated Silver Cloud online therapy modules to help reduce stress, anxiety and increase resilience as a result of Covid-19.                         

               SilverCloud. Making Space For Healthy Minds (silvercloudhealth.com) 

    Note: you will need to enter one of the following    PINs: HEREFORDSHIRE or WORCESTERSHIRE to access the modules.

     

    • AGE UK - Living with long COVID ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/coronavirus-guidance/living-with-long-COVID/

 

 


 

Sources

Prevalence of ongoing symptoms following coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in the UK: 7 April 2022 –Office of National Statistics www.ons.gov.uk

Your COVID Recovery | Supporting your recovery after COVID-19 - www.yourCOVIDrecovery.nhs.uk

Long-term effects of coronavirus (long COVID) – NHS  Long-term effects of coronavirus (long COVID) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

NICE COVID-19 rapid guideline: managing the long-term effects of COVID-19 www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG188

Find help and support if you have Long COVID - Department of Health and Social Care Find help and support if you have long COVID - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

 

Published: 29th November, 2021

Updated: 3rd May, 2022

Author: Rachel Cumino

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • WAC Awarded Excellence for Carers Quality Standard

    WAC Awarded Excellence for Carers Quality Standard

    Worcestershire Association of Carers has been awarded the Carers Trust Excellence for Carers Award

  • Community Health and Wellbeing

    Community Health and Wellbeing

    Services and support for people in Redditch

  • Long Covid Carer Peer Support Group

    Long Covid Carer Peer Support Group

    If you are caring for someone with Long Covid, join your peers who understand. Share, learn and laugh in a safe environment facilitated by WAC Staff.

  • Alpaca Experience

    Alpaca Experience

    This event has now sold out, if you wish to be added to a wait-list, please email [email protected] An unforgettable Alpaca experience. Meet with, walk with, and learn about these beautiful animals.

Most read

  • Recruitment

    Recruitment

  • What's On

    What's On

    We have a wide range of great events for carers which include both online and face-to-face sessions.

  • Carer support groups

    Carer support groups

    Take time out for yourself and make friends at one of our Carer Support Groups.

  • Carers Hub and Helpline

    Carers Hub and Helpline

    Call the carers Hub helpline on 0300 012 4272 if you need support with your caring role. We will be able to direct you to the most appropriate support and if appropriate put you in touch with our carer pathway advisors.

  • Am I a carer?

    Am I a carer?

    Do you look after someone who can't manage without your help? Whether 24/7 or just for a few hours a week you may be a carer. Have a look through our online resources or get in touch to see how we can help you.

  • Emergency planning

    Emergency planning

    Have you thought about what would happen to person you look after if you became ill or had an emergency to deal with? Planning for emergencies will give you and the person you care for peace of mind, knowing that back up support can be put place in case you need it.

  • Information for Carers

    Information for Carers

  • Worcestershire Integrated Carers Hub

  • Carer Friendly Employer Network

    Carer Friendly Employer Network

    Carer Friendly Employer Network is a membership and accreditation scheme for businesses which supports carers in the workplace.

  • About Us

Tag cloud

carer carer representatives carer training caring news caring with confidence donate fundraise helpine helpline learning disability listening ear talktime volunteer WICH

Latest tweet

  • RT @JigsawWorcs: This evening, Andrew Down is joining us via Zoom. If you have any Qs about medication that you'd like to ask, pleas… https://t.co/tfYNs8ni2T

    4thJuly, 2022 @CarersWorcs
  • RT @CarersTrust: #UnpaidCarers having to wait longer to hear back from DWP on their applications for Carer's Allowance. Great to s… https://t.co/xDfzTPCY25

    4thJuly, 2022 @CarersWorcs
  • RT @OfficialYSS: To all our Worcestershire Young Carers, it is finally summer time and it is time to have some fun!! 🏖🥳 We have thr… https://t.co/RJ0Mb8ujU6

    29thJune, 2022 @CarersWorcs
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube



       

 

Supported by Worcestershire County Council and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Useful Links

    • About Us
    • Our Governance
    • Sitemap
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy

Registered Charity No. 1071850 Registered Company No. 3485330
Address: Polysec House, Blackpole Trading Estate West, Hindlip Lane, Worcester, WR3 8TJ

Tel: 01905 751340