Stroke care

Bespoke stroke support and aftercare

Strokes affect people in different ways – it can affect the way the body functions as well as thought processes and how people feel and communicate. A stroke can also have an emotional impact and can cause problems such as anxiety, depression or changes to personality. At Carefound Home Care we are able to provide a bespoke stroke care service enabling individuals affected by a stroke to recover in the comfort of their own home where their surroundings are familiar and loved ones are close by.

Our one-to-one stroke home care service is available as either hourly care (1 hour to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including sleepover night care and waking night care) or full-time live-in care.

Experience in providing specialist stroke care

All of our professional home carers are able to support our elderly clients with a range of individual stroke care needs such as improving strength, mobility and speech. We also work closely with other health professionals including physiotherapists, orthotists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, ophthalmologists, psychologists, podiatrists and district nurses.

Key aspects of our specialist stroke home care service include:

• A full assessment of care needs through which we seek to understand all aspects of the support to be provided such as daily routines, likes / dislikes, medication, mobility, personal care and mental health
• A fully personalised plan of care bespoke to you and your family
• A professional home carer to provide the support needed on either an hourly or live in care basis
• Regular reviews and communication ensuring that needs are met as the condition changes and develops
• Liaison and collaboration with other health and social care professionals
• Ongoing support from a local management team

If you would like to speak with us or learn more about our stroke care service please do not hesitate to contact us today.

What causes a stroke?

Most strokes happen when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood to your brain. Blood clots usually form in areas where the arteries have become narrowed or ‘furred’ up by fatty deposits. This is called atheroscelrosis.

As we age our arteries become harder and narrower. However, certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can speed up this process and increase your risk of having a stroke.

Medical problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can increase your risk of having a stroke.

Lifestyle factors, such as diet, drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking and how active you are, can also increase your risk.

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

You can recognise a stroke using the FAST test:

• FACIAL weakness: Can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?
• ARM weakness: Can the person raise both arms?
• SPEECH problems: Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
• TIME to call 999

If a person fails any one of these tests, get help immediately by dialling 999.

A speedy response can help reduce the damage to a person’s brain and improve their chances of a full recovery. A delay in getting help can result in death or long-term disabilities.

Don’t ignore temporary symptoms

If symptoms disappear within 24 hours, the person may have had a Transient ischaemic attack (TIA), which is also called a mini-stroke.

A TIA is serious and should not be ignored. If you see or experience any of the symptoms described above you must call 999, as there is no way of telling whether you are having a TIA or a stroke when the symptoms first start.

If you think someone has had a TIA and they have not sought medical attention, get them to see their GP urgently. A TIA is a warning sign that they may be at risk of stroke, so they need to see a doctor as quickly as possible.