Stroke Training & Carers Issues

Lynsey Duncan

Stroke Training Co-ordinator

Stroke Training in Grampian

• Multi-disciplinary

• Meet the different needs of health & social care staff

• Delivered at different locations

• Aim to facilitate learning and/or build on knowledge & skills in stroke care

• Flexible Therapy Stroke Team

The training programmes...

• Core:

• Introductory Course in Stroke Care (part 1)

• Intermediate Course in Stroke Care (part 2)• Advanced Study Days (Secondary prevention in

stroke care & Post-stroke - what’s out there?)

Other training...

• Care Home Staff Study Days

• Social Service Staff Study Days

• Student Nurse Awareness Sessions

• Volunteer Session

• Shetland Isles

Evaluation Forms

• “I found the whole course really good, educational, interesting & stimulating. It made me more reflective about my current practice.”

• “very interesting course which has been very beneficial to my work area, thank you”

• “all staff working within stroke services should have the opportunity of attending this course”

Future Plans

• Advanced Topics (Communication workshop 21st Nov 07 & Tone and Postural Management 29th May 08)

• Community Nurses Study Day (Long Term Conditions - update and refresher 27th Feb 08) in Aberdeenshire

• Orkney Isles

• Accreditation

Carers Issues

• Intermediate Course in Stroke Care (part 2) - Caring for carers

• - Impact of stroke - a carers perspective

Questionnaire...

• Do you feel you were given adequate support and advice about the impact this (the stroke) would have on you and your family prior to their discharge from hospital?

• Carer A - no• Carer B - no, all I was told was that it would take

time• Carer C - no

Questionnaire...

• Since their discharge from hospital, are there any particular issues that you have found difficult to deal with?

• Carer A - my biggest worry is who takes care of the carer when they fall ill?

• Carer B - coping by myself is hard…arm and shoulder has been knotting up leaving…in agony which keeps them up all night, resulting in me having to stay up as well!

• Carer C - taking medication

Questionnaire...

• How has your life changed since becoming a carer?

• Carer A - we have to pace ourselves now…I find it takes longer to do various everyday things

• Carer B - from being a partner to being a parent again…personality has changed

• Carer C - loneliness

Questionnaire...

• Do you feel you have had adequate support since they have been discharged from hospital?

• Carer A - Yes, in most things I am happy to say

• Carer B - No

• Carer C - No support

Common issues

• Loneliness

• No support

• Not ready for the challenge that faces them when their partner gets discharged home from hospital

• Feeling that the needs of the carer are neglected

Any questions????