A specific post COVID-19 rehab service for people with brain injuries is being developed by a care provider.
The move comes in response to developing evidence showing the effects of the virus are wider-ranging and longer lasting than first thought.
In support of those who are too debilitated to care for themselves at home in recovering from COVID-19, The Disabilities Trust has developed a specialist rehabilitation service, which it will offer in some of its 15 brain injury centres across England, Scotland and Wales.
The residential programme, which include a period of between four and twelve weeks for holistic rehabilitation before being discharged home, will support brain injury survivors with factors including severe fatigue, chronic and distressing pain, low mood and weakness, all of which can be exacerbated by contracting the virus.
As the pandemic continues, new evidence and research is emerging which shows the potential impact of COVID-19 and the long-term effects it can have.
The growth in cases of so-called ‘Long Covid’ is having an adverse effect on rising numbers of people in the UK, with brain injury survivors potentially suffering a greater impact.
Although the neurological link to COVID-19 remains unclear, research has revealed brain injury survivors specifically struggle with factors including cognitive issues – verbal fluency, memory and attention often described as ‘brain fog’ – sensory issues, emotional and behavioural problems, increased fatigue, sleep disturbance and dizziness.
Sue Copstick, clinical director at the Trust, said their dedicated programme was developed in response to such additional needs.
“We are continuously learning about the effects and rehabilitation needs of people who have suffered COVID-19.
“We will use our substantial brain injury rehabilitation experience to help COVID-19 sufferers manage and recover from severe debilitating physical weakness, fatigue and slowed physical and mental abilities,” she says.
The Disabilities Trust, through its dedicated brain injury division, the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT), will use existing rehabilitation pathways to address the brain injury and post-viral symptoms, she said.
“Our multi-disciplinary teams use holistic methods allowing emotional, cognition and physical aspects of symptoms and suffering to be acknowledged and addressed for all assessments and treatments, rather than be viewed as separate entities,” adds Sue.
The rehabilitation will include physiotherapy and related therapies to build up core strength and stamina. It will also focus on practice of functional daily living and self-care skills in preparation for discharge home, including community visits and activities using infection control measures; and social and psychological adjustment, supported by clinical psychology and neuropsychology services, including treatment of trauma symptoms where necessary.
Each person admitted to the programme will have a rehabilitation clinical lead and key worker who support them through the rehabilitation process, helping to devise daily programmes of therapeutic activity and allowing a person or their family control over their rehabilitation goals and outcomes.
Clinical psychology and neuropsychology sessions are also delivered, to ensure the person and family are equipped to cope with adjustment and condition management post-discharge.
“Family involvement is important to treatment, as we recognise that recovery and adjustment is something that also depends on understanding and healing for the whole family,” Sue concludes.
