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Getting home

Getting home is a huge step on the road to recovery. While it is often an enormous relief to be back home, some may find the first few weeks a bit of an emotional rollercoaster in terms of readjusting to everyday life. In this section, we've provided some general information and advice on the common physical and psychological issues you might face,what you can do to help the recovery process along, and the types of help that might be available to you and your family after you get home.We've also included a few short pieces on other people's experience, which we hope you will find helpful.

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Web Link: Hearing loss-information and advice

Some patients experience hearing loss after Intensive Care. This link will take you to the Hearing link website.They provide information, advice and support for people experiencing heraring loss and their family members.

External Video: How do I increase the amount of activity I'm doing

Video length: 05:26 (Watch now or tap the button above to add this resource to your personal library to watch later) This short clip will explain how you can start building up your activity and exercises levels. For some people returning to normal activities may take a few weeks while others it can take months and even over a year. The important thing is to listen to your body and go at the right pace for you. This clip should help you understand how to do this. If you're struggling...

Web Link: ICU Support Groups

Some people find it really helpful to talk with others who have been through similar experiences to their own. This is the weblink to ICUsteps website with details of support groups for patient and families across the UK. It will tell you more about the groups, who they are, what they do and when the meetings are held. Several groups across the country (eg Chester, Edinburgh & Brighton) are currently offering online or "virtual" support group meetings which you can join...

Article: Irritability and mood swings

It is common to feel that your emotions are "all over the place" after having spent time in Intensive Care.Patients often tell us that it is only after they got home or are more physically able, that the emotional side of what has happened comes to the fore. There are many reasons why you might feel like this, all of which are perfectly understandable. Not knowing or not remembering how you ended up in Intensive Care, or what happened while you were there, for example,...

Article: Joint stiffness and pain

Patients sometimes suffer from stiff and painful joints after Intensive Care, particularly in the ankles, knees, elbows and shoulders.This can make it difficult to do simple things like getting out of bed, walking around the ward or washing and showering. Why do I have joint stiffness or pain? Patients who have spent longer in Intensive Care seem to be at greater risk of developing joint stiffness and pain. Joint stiffness and pain can be due to several things but is most...

External Video: Life after ICU - YouTube Video

A video explaining life after a stay in the ICU. Video length: 06:15 (Watch now or tap the button above to add this resource to your personal library to watch later)

Web Link: Living Life to the Full website

This link will take you to the Living Life to the Full website, and their pages on keeping well during COVID-19. Resources include advice to deal with Anger and irritability Being more assertive Dealing with negative thinking Improving Sleep Tips on Staying Happy Tackling low mood and depression Problem Solving Understanding and coping with panic Understanding and overcoming worry

Web Link: Loneliness (NHS advice)

All of us can feel lonely sometimes, whether we have strong connections with family and friends or not. This link will take you to the NHS webpages on loneliness.On it, you'll find a wealth of information, advice and support on a range of other issues including anxiety, stress, depression, grief, etc. There are some simple self-assessment tools and guidance to help you understand how you're feeling right now, the things you can do to help yourself, the types of support that might...

Web Link: Loneliness in the pandemic (20 minute podcast)

This link will take you to a podcast on loneliness during the pandemic, from UK Government's Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In it, you'll hear advice, top tips and stories from four people who have struggled with loneliness in recent months. It's around 20 minutes long. We hope you find it helpful.

Web Link: Loneliness: NHs and UK Government website

Many people have experienced loneliness during the pandemic. Loneliness can be particularly tough when recovering after a hospital stay due to COVID, especially while we might not be able to connect with family and friends, and access social support in the way that we normally would. This link will take you to the UK Government and NHS website, "Let's Talk Loneliness". On it, you'll find advice and tips on dealing with loneliness during the pandemic, organisations who can...

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Getting home

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