Stroke
Agincare’s excellent reputation for providing high quality and person-centred stroke care is achieved through not having a ‘one size fits all’ approach to our service provision.
A stroke affects everybody differently and we understand that it will have a profound effect on your life and the lives of your family and friends.
Specifically, when caring for someone who has had a stroke, we will work closely with you, your family and your healthcare professionals to jointly build a plan of care for you that is re-abling.
Stroke care tailored for you
We focus on helping you to re-learn old skills, acquire new ones and will actively support you to adapt to and overcome any limitations. We do not just focus on the physical effects but the emotional ones too and we will help you and your family to engage with the local community support services as you choose.
Types of stroke care and support
Agincare has extensive experience of caring and supporting people who have suffered a stroke.
Whether supported by a professional care worker in the comfort and security of your own home or at one of our comfortable care homes, we can give the independence and peace of mind for the life you want to lead.
Live in stroke care
With the 24/7 support of a live-in care worker in the comfort and security of your own home, you will be supported to maintain your independence following a stroke. Your family can be rest assured that help is on hand should you need it, allowing them to step down from their own duties as a carer and resume their role within the family dynamic.
Stroke care at home
Agincare has been established as a leading home care provider for almost four decades. By visiting you at home, you can feel more relaxed in the place that you feel most comfortable and safe in, supported by a carefully-selected Agincare care worker.
Stroke care at a care home
If you feel scared or worried after a stroke our care homes offer an ideal safe and welcoming environment for you to recover. In our nursing homes we have registered nurses on duty round-the-clock who are qualified to provide the same level of care that district nurses do during their visits to our care homes.
Frequently asked questions
All of our care and support workers complete the nationally recognised Care Certificate, which include the basic principles of stroke care. Specific client needs-led training is taught by internal and external trainers and/or healthcare professionals.
In addition to this, we have an internal Stroke Care training programme in place which includes the following topics:
• Understanding the cause of a stroke and the range of effects
• Cognition and active communication
• Exercise, diet and risk management
• Enablement and after care.
Our training department works closely with our Group Quality Manager, as well as local and national organisations, to continually appraise and enhance our training portfolio.
There are four main types of stroke:
Ischaemic stroke – this happens when a clot blocks an artery that carries blood to the brain.
Haemorrhagic stroke – is a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage – is bleeding into the space around the brain (the subarachnoid space), usually due to a burst aneurysm (a weakness of the blood vessel wall).
TIA (transient ischaemic attack) – is a mini-stroke; the effects usually pass quickly but a TIA must be taken seriously as it can be a warning sign.
The effect of a stroke on a person depends on which part of the brain has been affected and how much damage has been caused.
Suffering a stroke is a medical emergency and by calling 999 you can help someone reach hospital quickly and receive the early treatment they need.
Face – Ask them to smile, does their face look uneven?
Arms – Ask them to raise both arms, does one arm drift down?
Speech – Ask them to repeat a phrase, does their speech sound strange?
Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.
Although the serious injury to the brain caused by a stroke can lead to widespread and long-lasting problems, many people have been recovered to some extent through a combination of reablement treatment, physical and speech therapy and long-term support.
The Stroke Association is the leading charity in the UK changing the world for people affected by stroke.
More people than ever are benefiting from cutting-edge treatments and making full recoveries. And more people now understand the need to seek emergency treatment for stroke. The Stroke Association has been at the heart of every one of these developments, championing the cause of stroke and stroke survivors.