REGULAR
Make May Purple
Our columnist Stroke Association tell us about their Make May Purple campaign designed to encourage support for stroke sufferers and raise awareness about the condition.
The devastating impact that a stroke can have will be all-too familiar to anyone working in care services across the UK. Stroke is the second most common neurological condition among care home residents after dementia, according to the Centre for Policy on Ageing. Around 8,000 people in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are discharged from hospital to a care home after a stroke every year, and many of these people will have been robbed of their speech, their ability to walk or their memory by the condition.
Age is the single most important risk factor for stroke, and the risk of having a stroke doubles every decade after the age of 55. Additional risk factors care professionals should be aware of include hypertension and diabetes mellitus. However, stroke can happen to anyone at any time, and care home staff have a vital role to play in ensuring that residents who display the early warning signs of a stroke receive emergency medical treatment. Staff should respond by calling 999 if they spot any of the FAST stroke symptoms (facial droop, arm weakness, speech problems).
Stroke is a brain injury, so the long term effects caused by the condition will vary greatly from person to
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person, depending on the area of the brain affected by the condition. Some effects, such as one-sided weakness or speech difficulties, can be quite obvious. However other problems can be much more ‘hidden’ and difficult to spot. For example stroke survivors may have problems with vision or managing their emotions.
A thorough understanding of stroke can empower care workers to ensure that people have the best possible chance of a recovery. Stroke rehabilitation, six month reviews of stroke survivors, and identifying symptoms of stroke are all measures which residential care homes can take to improve the treatment of stroke – all of which are in line with NICE’s current quality standard consultation on stroke care. There’s no doubt that these important steps can make a huge difference; today fewer people die from stroke than ever before.
There are around 152,000 strokes a year in the UK – that’s around one every three and a half minutes. Stroke is the largest cause of adult complex disability in the UK, but it isn’t getting the attention or funding it deserves. Many care home staff will know someone who has shown determination and strength in making the very most of life after stroke. We’re now calling
for as many care workers as possible to join us in our annual awareness-raising month and Make May Purple for stroke.
“Stroke is the largest cause of adult complex disability in the UK, but it isn’t getting the attention or funding it deserves.”
Every May, the charity encourages people to show their support for loved ones who have been affected by stroke, and help to raise awareness and essential funds for the Stroke Association by taking part in a purple- themed activity. Throughout the month, supporters are encouraged to hold purple bake sales, purple office days and purple garden parties to help raise vital funds and get people talking about stroke.
Thanks to improvements in the field of stroke care, you are twice as likely to survive a stroke compared to 20 years ago. This incredible progress would not have been possible without the time and dedication of care professionals. Show your support for stroke survivors and go purple in May 2016. Find out more at
www.stroke.org.uk/makemaypurple.
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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