What is Long Covid? 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Long COVID, also known as Post COVID-19, is characterized by symptoms that last longer than 2 months following a SARS CoV-2 viral infection. While individuals that experience severe illness due to the virus are at a higher risk for Long Covid, individuals that report minimal to no symptoms while infected can also experience lingering effects.

What are symptoms of Long Covid?

Symptoms can change over time and commonly include fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, joint and muscle pain, difficulty sleeping, memory issues, depression, and anxiety. 

How is Long Covid affecting your daily life?

Some individuals may experience disruptions in their daily routines due to the impact of persistent symptoms. Life after COVID-19 may feel and look a lot different than before, and you may find it challenging to go to school or work, care for yourself and family, cook meals, exercise, or socialize. 

Services Turning Point Rehab offers

Mobile Outpatient Occupational Therapy (OT): OTs work with clients experiencing changes in their ability to engage in meaningful occupations due to Long Covid by applying evidenced-based services to help manage symptoms, improve quality of life and enhance daily functioning.  If you are experiencing changes such as difficulty concentrating at work or completing household tasks, poor sleep, fatigue, or are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, OTs can help. Your OT will visit you in person or virtually to complete an initial assessment to determine what recommendations can be made to assist you in returning to what you need and enjoy doing. A few examples of what your OT can assist you with include:

• Suggest strategies to improve sleep
• Introduce techniques to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms
• Teaching strategies to reduce fatigue and manage pain symptoms
• Cognitive rehabilitation to improve concentration and memory
• Recommend ergonomic changes to your workspace and/or home
• Inform on other available community resources to reduce symptoms
• Recommend adaptive aids or ergonomic equipment to improve daily functioning

Recommendations

Fatigue: Consider incorporating frequent rest breaks into your day. For example, at work or school try wearing a black out eye mask or noise cancelling headphones to take a sensory offloading break. You can also use a trolley to transport groceries and laundry to help conserve energy.

Sleep: Try turning off electronic devices such as television, tablet and video games 30-45 minutes before you go to bed as these are very stimulating and may contribute to poor sleep.

Brain Fog: If you are experiencing changes with memory or difficulty concentrating, bringing a notebook to medical appointments can help you keep organized and provide peace of mind that information will not be forgotten. 

Anxiety: If you are feeling overwhelmed, consider trying mindfulness meditation or progressive muscle relaxation.

Resources

Self-Management after COVID-19 Related Illness Leaflet: WHO

• Provides information and strategies for managing breathlessness, voice and swallowing challenges, brain fog, poor sleep, pain, and more. Also includes exercises and a symptom tracking diary. 

Post- COVID-19 Care & Recovery Online: British Columbia Provincial Health Service Authority

• Includes fact sheets, tools for managing symptoms, and videos on recovery and care.

Breathing Exercises Online: Hopkins Medicine

• Provides written and short video instructional breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing and humming.  

Mindfulness and Anxiety Management App: Mindshift CBT- Anxiety Canada Association.

• Offers various evidenced-based cognitive behaviour therapy strategies to help manage anxiety such as body scan, thought journal, and coping cards.