Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona Providing Critical Support for Survivors of Long-COVID
It is estimated that somewhere between 10-35% of those who have had COVID-19 fall into a category known as Long-COVID survivors. While the symptoms they experience vary, the often reported neurological problems include long or short-term cognitive impairment, neuro fatigue, memory loss, headaches, and brain fog, among others. Long-COVID survivors may fall into gaps in health care and community services, which can be disheartening at best, and life-threatening at worst.
Cue the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona, the statewide non-profit organization that has been closely following the ongoing neurological implications of COVID-19. While the collective knowledge about the virus expands on a near-weekly basis as the research rapidly progresses, what remains constant is the need Long-COVID survivors and their families have to get connected with the appropriate treatments, programs, and resources.
In response to these needs, the Brain Injury Alliance is in the process of collecting data from those living in the aftermath of COVID. Their goal is to use the acquired information to determine which of their community-based social and educational programs and services are most beneficial for survivors of Long COVID. This would then lead to improved management of post-COVID cognitive impairment and community adaptability, as well as subsequent programmatic initiatives.
The effort to support this important work was spearheaded by State Representative Jennifer Jermaine and State Representative Jennifer Longdon and approved by Governor Doug Ducey. The organization is grateful for their leadership and recognition of the serious action needed to combat the effects of Long-COVID.
“For some who have survived COVID-19, especially the earlier variants and COVID pneumonia, the stark reality is life is not just snapping back to normal,” said Carrie Collins-Fadell, CEO of the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona.
“In fact, some Long-COVID survivors with cognitive challenges have difficulties similar to those with brain injuries have had for years in navigating healthcare and community-based programs and systems, so we are thrilled that our Resource Facilitation Team is available to work with them to connect them with invaluable resources and information.”
State Representative Jennifer Longden
State Representative Jennifer Jermaine
Fortunately, survivors of Long-COVID do not need to wait for the results of the Brain Injury Alliance’s data collection project in order to access their many beneficial services, like the ones currently utilized by brain injury survivors and their families. Such supports include referrals to neuro specialists, adaptive recreation, therapeutic art programs, counseling, emergency assistance funding, survivor and caregiver conferences, post-injury educational series, peer support, and support groups.
Assistance for Long-COVID survivors is available via the Statewide Neuro Info-Line at 888-500-9165 or info@biaaz.org.
ABOUT BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION OF ARIZONA
The Brain Injury Association of Arizona (BIAAZ) is the only statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of adults and children with all types of brain injuries through prevention, advocacy, awareness and education. BIAAZ also houses the Arizona Brain Health Resource Center, a collection of educational information and neuro-specific resources for brain injury survivors, caregivers, family members and professionals.
What began in 1983 as a grassroots effort has grown into a strong statewide presence, providing valuable life-long resources and community support for individuals with all types of brain trauma at no charge.