Stroke is a leading cause of disability in Australia, and it has a significant impact on survivors and carers, ranging from limitations to self-care, movement, and communication, to difficulty with balance, ongoing fatigue and loss of concentration.
Yet, like many Australians, I wasn’t aware of the impact, other than it happened commonly among older adults. It wasn’t until I attended a talk a few years ago held by a former colleague’s brother who had a stroke at age 34, that I realised the real impact spans across the wider population, both young and old.
It was estimated in 2020 that about 27,000 Australians experienced a stroke for the first time, which equates to one every 19 minutes, with 24 per cent of first-ever strokes in 2020 happening to people aged 18 to 54. What alarmed me the most was that for some, there were no obvious warning signs – until it is too late.
Having observed National Stroke Week, which took place earlier this August, we at Homage Australia believe that addressing this impending issue starts with having greater awareness in recognising related symptoms, which could then help expedite efforts to better manage the infliction to those experiencing it.
Be aware and educated about the condition
At Homage, we ensure that we match care professionals with experience in managing stroke patients, with families that require related support. Beyond our core efforts to provide the right medical and caregiving intervention, it is also crucial to be a platform that offers the right kind of information and understanding in managing stroke patients.
It’s important to know that there are two types of stroke: ischaemic and haemorrhagic.
An ischaemic stroke occurs when a blood clot travels from elsewhere in the body to the brain. This results in an embolic stroke, or when arteries become blocked with a cholesterol-laden plaque that narrows the artery over time, resulting in a thrombotic stroke.
Meanwhile, a haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel breaks or bursts, causing blood to leak into the brain, disrupting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. Haemorrhagic stroke sometimes happens in an artery inside the brain, known as intracerebral haemorrhage, most often caused by high blood pressure, while another type involves bleeding on the brain’s surface, referred to as subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Recognise the risks and symptoms of stroke
While some stroke survivors experienced minimal effects and may be able to live a normal life, others may have to contend with long-term or permanent disabilities if they were not attended to right away. Hence, it’s crucial to detect signs early so that immediate medical assistance can be given. It isn’t hard for the public to recognise when a stroke is happening and act on it quickly. An easy way to look out for the signs is by using the FAST test, which is essentially an acronym of:
- Facial Weakness – look for drooping, particularly around the mouth
- Arm Weakness – check if they can lift both arms
- Speech – check for speech slurring or if they can understand your words
- Time – Time is critical if a stroke is suspected. Seek emergency medical assistance
With prompt action and treatment, a stroke doesn’t have to end up being disabling or deadly. Even if stroke patients have to live with some form of handicap in the aftermath of the attack, hope isn’t totally lost.
Mitigating the adverse effects of stroke
Australia’s healthcare system provides aftercare for stroke survivors following acute treatment. This ranges from rehabilitation exercises to help regain muscle strength, coordination and control, to having an occupational therapist advise on home modifications to enable survivors to live as independently as possible. Stroke survivors can also participate in support groups to support their emotional and mental well-being.
At Homage, we help those living with stroke to live with dignity – especially those who suffered it at a young age – to recover from or manage their condition in comfort. We can support them and their families with our Care Professionals to accompany their loved ones to and from hospital appointments, to rehabilitation appointments, to assist in their daily routines like showering and going to the bathroom. Our objective is to ensure they have the support for a full recovery, including being active and attending classes, as keeping active can also reduce the risk of a secondary stroke.
Simultaneously, we continue to advocate for causes related to stroke. Last year, members of the Homage team participated in a 10km fun run to raise money for Stride4Stroke, an event by the Stroke Foundation to get people to be active and exercise regularly, as well as see its value as one of the ways to reduce the risk.
With the right type of support and recovery care and rehabilitation – supported by efforts from healthcare ecosystem stakeholders like the government, NGOs and even companies like Homage – to help stroke survivors live dignified and fulfilled lives.
