Those With Disabilities Are Anxious & Fearful About COVID-19

Everyone in England must stay at home except for permitted reasons during the new Coronavirus lockdown.

The new lockdown for England is now expected to last until mid-February. The Prime Minister believes that the coming weeks will be our hardest yet” amid the new COVID-19 strain, surging cases, and patient numbers.

Anxious & Fearful:

For those living with disabilities, they are now even more anxious and fearful about the virus. With worries about how they are to get through their day to day with lockdown restrictions.

A recent national government survey on the impacts of COVID-19 has found that 22.5% of people with disabilities have reported that their overall health is affected (that is double the number reported for non-disabled people), near 60% reported that their well-being is impacted and that there is an ongoing and very real worry about mental health deterioration as well as fears about the future.

Remaining Independent:

There are over 7 million people (18% of the population in the UK) with a disability living independently. Until this Pandemic, they were able to shop online and have their goods delivered straight to their door. However, with the added restrictions, more people ordering their groceries online, the ability to remain independent is proving difficult.

This change in shopping habits is taking independence away from many of those living with disabilities. As a result, it is leaving them feeling anxious about asking for help and depending on friends, family, and/or volunteers.

Carers & Personal Care Assistants:

Personal Care Assistants (PA’s) or Carers are a crucial part of life for those with a disability. They help with tasks that many of us would take for granted or not give a second thought.
With resources stressed as much as they are, some carers are moving from home to home for various patients. This is worrying for someone who depends on a carer for personal hygiene, cooking, and shopping.

When it comes to social distancing, there are challenges for the disabled community. Especially those who need a Personal Assistant (PA) or a carer to help meet their basic needs.

As PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) can go in and out of supply within the community some disabled people could find themselves in complete isolation if their PA/Carer is required to isolate/quarantine with no possible replacement available.

For families with disabled children, the suspension of services means there is little to no respite while children with special educational needs are finding themselves left with no learning support.

Signs of the Virus:

The UK’s government recently published data revealing that people with disabilities account for 59% of all COVID-19 deaths in England and Wales (March 2020 – July 2020).

Now that we are back in lockdown, these figures are causing more worry and panic amongst the disabled and carers community.

Should a disabled person get ill or show signs/symptoms of the virus, how are they to isolate when they need assistive care?

Hospital Admittance:

Should a person with a disability contract the virus and need urgent medical care there is added anxiety and fear around not having their family, PA, or carer with them. As we all know, no one is allowed in with you in hospitals now.

In some cases, the carer or even a family member is an expert in the patients/family members’ needs. They may be the only ones who know how to;

Lift them into and out of the bed
What food they will eat
How to best interpret for the person if they are non-verbal

Getting the Help You Need:

Whether it’s you, a friend, or a family member that needs help and/or advice during these difficult times, please feel free to reach out to some of these amazing charities below.