Herald - Issue 411

Page 42 • The HERALD • 26th August 2021 v SAY YOU SAW IT IN THE HERALD v Let us help you make life easier Contact Waterside Home Help and Companions today to find out how we can help you and your family. We offer a range of home help & companionship services: ● Cleaning and laundry ● Grocery shopping and errands ● Meal preparation ● Transport to appointments ● Companionship ● Welfare checks ● Medication prompts ● Sitting service ● We will match you with a fully trained, insured and DBS checked helper to suit your individual needs. ● The same helper will visit you at the same time each day, week, fortnight or whenever required. ● We do not provide personal care, therefore our rates are considerably lower ● £15 per hour Call us today on 07565 428139 Or email us on: info@watersidehomehelp.co.uk Visit our website: www.watersidehomehelp.co.uk WE CARE, YOU CARE Data from the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic last year show that admissions to hospital for stroke fell in the rst wave, a 13% drop between March - July 2020. Public Health England (PHE) data shows the average yearly stroke related deaths for all ages between 2017-2019 is 4,843 in the South East, a rate of 50.8 per 100,000 population. Stroke is a medical emergency and anyone experiencing symptoms should seek urgent help. Early treatment not only saves lives but results in a greater chance of a better recovery , as well as a likely reduction in permanent disability from stroke. Stroke is a time sensitive condition which means that any hesitancy and delay in getting treatment kills brain cells and has sadly and unnecessarily proven to be fatal in the early phase of the pandemic. ink and act F.A.S.T., the signs of stroke are: • Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile? • Arms – can they raise both their arms and keep them there? • Speech – is their speech slurred? • Time – time to call 999/are they having speech di culties? Dr Mohit Sharma, Centre Consultant Healthcare PHE South East, said: “Stroke is a medical emergency and is still one of the leading causes of death in England. It is vital people know how to spot the signs of stroke and if they have any concerns about any early signs whatsoever to call an ambulance immediately – don’t wait until a second potentially more fatal stroke hits. The most common signs of stroke are changes to the face, arms and speech - acting fast and getting treatment will help save lives and prevent people from severe disability.” Around 1.9 million nerve cells in the brain are lost every minute that a stroke is left untreated, which can result in slurred speech and paralysis . If le untreated, a stroke can result in permanent disability or death. Black people are twice more likely to have a stroke than white people. On average, people of black African, black Caribbean and South Asian descent in the UK have strokes at an earlier age. With COVID-19 disproportionately a ecting these groups, there’s an even greater need to ensure that they aren’t being a ected by other conditions. e campaign includes speci c activity targeted at communities from ethnic minorities. Juliet Bouverie, Chief Executive of the Stroke Association said: “Last year we saw thousands of people with suspected stroke put off calling 999 due to fear of catching COVID-19 or being a burden on the NHS. People could now be living with more severe disability than they otherwise would because they put off calling 999. That’s why you need to know that acting FAST and calling 999 saves lives.” Some other signs of stroke or mini stroke can include: • Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or both eyes • Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body (including in your leg) • Sudden memory loss or confusion • Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall, especially with any of the other signs Hemini Bharadia, Campaign Manager at Blood Pressure UK said: “High blood pressure is the single biggest risk factor for stroke, but half of people with high blood pressure are not diagnosed or receiving treatment. We are supporting the Act F.A.S.T. Stroke campaign because this pandemic has highlighted a significant fall in the number of people having their blood pressure measured, which puts them at an increased risk of stroke. Taking your blood pressure measurements at home is a great way to know if you might be at risk, knowing your numbers could save your life.” Jenny Hargrave, Director of Patient, Public and Professional Involvement at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Whether or not you have Coronavirus symptoms, it’s essential to dial 999 if you have symptoms that could be a stroke. Don’t delay because you think hospitals are too busy – the NHS still has systems in place to treat people who need urgent stroke treatment. If you delay, you are more likely to suffer serious damage and more likely to need intensive care and to spend longer in hospital.” For information on stroke go to: www.nhs.uk/ conditions/stroke Signs of a Stroke? Don’t Delay