Caring for Yourself and Others After the Pandemic

In part two of a recent webinar series sponsored by Health Advocate© “Addressing the Repercussions Of COVID-19 On Employees’ Health,” guest speaker, Dr. Raffi Terzian-health advocate Senior Vice President of clinical operations; Senior Medical Director; Board Certified Emergency Room Physician, shared insight on this topic.

One of the main concerns discussed during this webinar was the impact on the future for people who had missed out on preventative care, as well as routine care for chronic illness during the pandemic.

When looking at why preventative screenings might have been missed, there were a number of components that factored in:

• Initially people were told to isolate
• Providers canceled elective procedures
• Physician’s offices were shut down and then moved to telehealth
• Fear of being exposed to COVID-19 led many to cancel or not schedule appointments

It was reported that 40% of people delayed or avoided care and this number was even greater for people who had disabilities or two or more underlying medical conditions.

It is uncertain what the long-term impact will be. But the point of preventative care is to stave off conditions from occurring or to diagnose them early for a better outcome. As for people with chronic conditions, more than 3 out of 4 people delayed health care during the pandemic and 1 out of 3 people had a worsening of that condition.

It is important to recognize the need to get back on track with these appointments. And at this time there can be varying protocols depending on the medical providers. Especially considering the impact of the variants, telehealth very well could continue to play a large role in health care evaluations.  The priority is to continue to keep up on preventative appointments and ensure that chronic conditions are being monitored for any changes or worsening.

Mental health has been equally affected by the pandemic. For some that have experienced isolation, quarantining has brought on depression and anxiety.  While others, who may be returning now to the workplace and had enjoyed the isolation, may be experiencing the same emotions. There are rising concerns of increased substance abuse, financial consequences of the pandemic, and long-hauler effects for those infected with COVID-19. In addition to all this there is the added burden on those that have cared for someone with COVID-19 or lost someone to COVID-19. The DSP community, as we know, is already facing a crisis with staffing problems. The stress placed upon staff during the pandemic has been increased with long hours, wearing personal protective equipment for sustained periods of time, caring for and protecting individuals from getting the virus, as well as taking care of individuals with COVID-19.  There was the fear of bringing the virus into the community homes, as well as fear of taking the virus to their own homes.  Many DSPs and providers experienced losses, from the individuals they supported to their own families and friends over the course of the pandemic.  All of these and more have taken their toll on mental well-being.

An important aspect to remember is that while everyone has been dealing with the pandemic together, individually it has been experienced uniquely. Everyone has different needs as well as different responses. It is essential to respect that and work with each other to get through the changes that have been brought on by COVID-19 and its repercussions.  Dr. Raffi Terzian emphasizes empathy and patience.

Additionally, if you or those you know are experiencing mental health issues from the pandemic, just as it is essential to get care as soon possible for physical conditions, it is also in the best interest to seek support early on for mental health well-being.

If your company has this option, a good place to start is an employee assistance program (EAP). This is an employee benefit program that assists employees with personal problems and/or work-related problems that may impact their job performance, health, and mental and emotional well-being.

Remember the phrase it is important to put your own oxygen mask on first; meaning you can’t take care of others until you take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and spiritually.