DCW149-Stroke Awareness, Prevention, and Care Policy

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Stroke Awareness, Prevention, and Care Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that our domiciliary care service effectively supports service users who have experienced a stroke or are at risk of stroke. We aim to promote stroke awareness, prevention strategies, early recognition of symptoms, emergency response, and high-quality ongoing care to enhance recovery and independence.

This policy is designed to meet the requirements of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016, the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, and the National Stroke Programme for Wales. It aligns with Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) guidance and the NICE Stroke Rehabilitation Guidelines, ensuring best practices in stroke management.

Our organisation efficiently manages stroke care by:

Raising awareness of stroke risk factors and prevention strategies.
Training staff to recognise early warning signs of stroke and respond swiftly.
Ensuring timely medical intervention and emergency support.
Providing person-centred post-stroke rehabilitation and long-term care.
Coordinating care with NHS stroke services, physiotherapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All staff, including care workers, supervisors, and managers who provide support to service users.
Service users who are at risk of stroke or recovering from a stroke.
Family members and informal carers involved in stroke care.
External professionals, including GPs, stroke rehabilitation specialists, and community nurses.

It covers:

Stroke awareness and prevention strategies.
Recognising the signs of stroke and emergency response.
Acute care and rehabilitation following a stroke.
Long-term support for stroke survivors.
Multi-agency collaboration in stroke care.

3. Stroke Awareness and Prevention

3.1 Understanding Stroke and Risk Factors

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced, leading to brain damage. There are two main types:

Ischaemic Stroke – caused by a blood clot blocking an artery in the brain.
Haemorrhagic Stroke – caused by a burst blood vessel leading to bleeding in the brain.

Risk factors include:

High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity.
Lack of physical activity and poor diet.
Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).
A family history of stroke.

3.2 Stroke Prevention Strategies

Our home care service promotes preventative measures by:

Supporting healthy lifestyle choices, including balanced diets, regular exercise, and smoking cessation.
Assisting service users in monitoring their blood pressure and managing diabetes.
Encouraging medication compliance for those at risk of stroke (e.g., anticoagulants, statins).
Providing education and awareness sessions on reducing stroke risks.

4. Recognising Stroke Symptoms and Emergency Response

4.1 Identifying Stroke Warning Signs (FAST Test)

Staff must be trained to recognise stroke symptoms using the FAST Test:

Face – Is one side of the face drooping? Can the person smile?
Arms – Can they lift both arms, or is one weak?
Speech – Is their speech slurred or confused?
Time – If any of these signs appear, call 999 immediately.

Additional symptoms may include:

Severe headache, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion, or loss of coordination.
Sudden numbness or weakness in the limbs or face.
Loss of consciousness or seizures.

4.2 Emergency Response Procedure

If a service user shows signs of stroke, staff must:

Call 999 immediately and provide clear information about symptoms.
Keep the person calm and in a safe position (preferably lying on their side).
Do not give food, drink, or medication until medical professionals arrive.
Notify the service user’s emergency contact and the Registered Manager ({{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}).
Record the incident and any actions taken, ensuring documentation is accurate and timely.

5. Stroke Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care

5.1 Supporting Recovery and Rehabilitation

Many stroke survivors require ongoing support to regain independence. Our service ensures:

Person-centred care plans tailored to the individual’s post-stroke needs.
Physical rehabilitation, including support with physiotherapy exercises.
Speech and language therapy for those with communication difficulties.
Cognitive and emotional support, addressing memory loss, depression, and anxiety.

We work closely with:

Physiotherapists and occupational therapists to assist with mobility and daily activities.
Speech and language therapists to support recovery of communication and swallowing.
Social workers and community teams to ensure access to benefits, support groups, and specialist care.

5.2 Assisting with Daily Living and Mobility

Staff provide practical support in:

Helping with personal care and hygiene, ensuring dignity and comfort.
Encouraging safe mobility, using walking aids and fall-prevention strategies.
Supporting meal preparation and adapted eating techniques for those with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia).
Promoting independence, allowing service users to do as much for themselves as possible.

5.3 Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Support

Stroke survivors often experience frustration, depression, or anxiety. We provide:

Emotional reassurance and companionship to reduce isolation.
Access to counselling and support groups.
Encouragement in setting achievable goals, maintaining motivation in recovery.

6. Multi-Agency Collaboration in Stroke Care

Our organisation works in partnership with healthcare providers to ensure coordinated stroke care, including:

GPs and hospital stroke teams for medical follow-ups.
Community rehabilitation teams for therapy and equipment provision.
Pharmacists for medication management and adherence support.
Local authority and social care teams for financial and home adaptation assistance.

We use secure communication channels to share relevant health updates while maintaining confidentiality and data protection compliance.

7. Training and Staff Responsibilities

All staff must complete mandatory training on:

Stroke recognition and emergency response (FAST Test).
Safe manual handling for stroke survivors with mobility difficulties.
Dysphagia awareness and adapted eating techniques.
Mental health support for post-stroke depression and anxiety.
Communication techniques for individuals with aphasia or cognitive impairments.

Staff must ensure that:

Care plans reflect the latest stroke recovery needs.
Concerns about deterioration in a service user’s condition are reported to the Registered Manager.
Family members are involved in stroke care planning and decision-making.

Failure to adhere to this policy may result in disciplinary action, in line with the Disciplinary and Grievance Policy (DCW31).

8. Related Policies

This policy should be read alongside:

Medication Management and Administration Policy (DCW21).
Safeguarding Adults from Abuse and Improper Treatment Policy (DCW13).
Risk Management and Assessment Policy (DCW18).
Confidentiality and Data Protection (GDPR) Policy (DCW34).

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are updates in CIW regulations, stroke care guidelines, or best practices. The Registered Manager is responsible for ensuring full compliance.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}
Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}
Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}
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