Blog: How COVID-19 is still affecting unpaid and family carers
One carer shares their experience of shielding and caring during the pandemic and beyond
COVID-19 may be a distant memory for most people but for many unpaid and family carers it is still very much at the forefront of their mind. Unpaid and family carers are people who look after someone who couldn’t manage without their support, such as a relative, friend or neighbour with a disability, illness, mental health condition or addiction. They provide care without getting paid, often at the expense of their own health, wellbeing and social life.
Earlier this year Shropshire Carers Support undertook a survey to see how many carers were taking precautions against contracting COVID-19, including still shielding, to try to understand how this is impacting on them and what could be done to support them.
57% of the carers completing the questionnaire were continuing to take extra precautions against contracting COVID-19 and 12% were still shielding. Of those shielding the reasons were mainly because of the condition of the cared for person eg immunosuppressed and in some cases advice from a healthcare professional.
One family carer, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us why they are still shielding and how this affects their life.
A carer’s story
We are still careful as we have two adult sons that are deemed more at risk from COVID-19, and we have our own health issues that also make us more vulnerable to COVID-19.
We stick to outside events and meeting others outside which is considered less of a risk than inside especially if busy and poorly ventilated as we are still in a pandemic of an airborne virus that lingers in the air like smoke when inside poorly ventilated areas.
If I do need to go inside for appointments, especially at healthcare settings where there are likely to be contagious patients, I wear a ffp2 or ffp3 mask as the surgical baggy blue masks offer very little protection against COVID-19. Wearing masks and ventilation also helps protect against other airborne viruses like flu, measles, and norovirus, where cases are also high now.
Washing hands and cleaning is good practice but of little protection against breathing in COVID-19, much better is ventilation, masks and air purifiers. Air purifiers also help those with allergies and asthma by improving air quality. Other things that can help protect against COVID-19 infections is using saline nasal sprays and mouth wash before and after potential exposure.
COVID-19 still causes hospitalisations and risk of death each week and it also causes long COVID-19 currently about one in 10. Especially with each repeated infection, as there is little immunity gained from infection or vaccine. Cumulative infections are also causing heart difficulties, strokes, diabetes, affecting immunity to other viruses and other long-term issues. This is even with mild infections and at any age, hence long-term sickness, and poor school attendance due to continuous high spread of the virus.
It seems ridiculous to me not to continue to be careful where able and protect not just those I care for but myself, so I am able to continue to care, this is not done though anxiety but by knowing the facts and the risks involved.
Carers support
This story illustrates the challenges and concerns that many carers faced during the pandemic and continue to face today. They must balance the needs of the person they care for with their own health and wellbeing, often feeling isolated and anxious. They also have to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19, which can limit their opportunities and choices.
Shropshire Carers Support is a Shropshire Council service which provides information, advice and support to unpaid and family carers in the county. They offer a range of services, such as one to one support, carers groups, and emergency planning. They also campaign for carers’ rights and raise awareness of the issues they face.
If you are an unpaid or family carer and you have been affected by this story, or would like support generally please contact Shropshire Carers Support on 01743 341995 or email shropshire.carers@shropshire.gov.uk
They will be happy to help you with any queries or concerns you may have.
COVID-19 advice
To get NHS advice about COVID-19-19-19, including its symptoms and what to do, how to avoid catching and spreading it, treatments, vaccinations and long-term affects you can speak with any local pharmacy. Find our more about local pharmacies, including the one nearest to you at this link: Pharmacies – NHS (www.nhs.uk) You can also dial 111 to get advice from the NHS 111 service and more information on that service is at this link: When to use NHS 111 online or call 111 – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
This website provides further information and advice in relation to COVID-19: COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
