If you have care needs, you might wonder how to best how to
look after yourself and those who provide care during COVID-19.
Here is some information on the steps you should take to
ensure everyone is safe and that your needs continue to be met during this time.
All of the content has been taken from trusted websites which has been linked at
the bottom of this post.
What do I if I am high-risk but need carers?
If you need essential support such as healthcare, personal
support with daily needs or social care, this should all continue.
However, carers and paid care workers must stay away if they
are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus. The government has provided
specific guidance about home
care services.
Carers should be washing their hands with soap and water for
at least 20 seconds when they arrive, as well as during the time they are
there. If you are concerned you could talk with your carers to set hygiene and
infection control measures.
Being clear on standards can make sure everyone is on the same
page.
How do I know if I am high risk?
According to the NHS website, you are
classed as extremely vulnerable if you have any of the following:
- Solid organ transplant recipients.
- People with specific cancers
- People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
- People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
- People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
- Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
Full guidance about who is extremely vulnerable.If you have been identified as high risk then you should have
received a letter that includes further guidance, this will include
self-isolating for 12 weeks.
Contact your GP if you are unsure. You also could contact
them if you would like to talk about the precautions you should be taking
What if myself or my carer becomes ill?
If your carer starts to display any of the symptoms of
coronavirus, you must stop face-to-face visits.
However, if you start to show symptoms the risk of
transmission should be reduced through safe working procedures.
The government have set
guidelines to protect both yourself and your carers.
Here
is information about getting access to food and essentials
Contingency plan
If you have received an NHS letter and need support, you can
register online
or call the governments dedicated helpline on 0800 028 8327.
Carers UK have put guidance together to help people plan for
an emergency, this includes what your plan should look like:
- details
of the name, address and contact details of the person you look after
- who
you and the person you look after would like to be contacted in an
emergency – this might include friends, family or professionals
- details
of any medication the person you look after is taking and where it is
stored
- details
of any ongoing treatment they need
- noting
details of any allergies
- details
of their GP and pharmacy
- any
ongoing treatment they need
- any
care and support services they receive
- any
continence products needed and who supplies them
- any
mobility challenges and mobility aids such as a wheelchair or hoist
- anything
behavioural others need to be aware of.
The
full article: Planning for emergencies (Carers UK)
Other support available
The Jointly app can
make it easier to communicate with people providing care. Jointly is owned by
Carers UK.
However, if you are struggling to have your needs met, here
are some things that you can do:
Sources
