FAST is key message for stroke response
Support for stroke survivors was the focus of Morwell Stroke Support Centre’s morning tea in Warragul recently for National Stroke Week last Tuesday.
Members of the centre, organisers and local members of parliament joined together to discuss the centre’s work and the importance of stroke awareness in the community.
National Stroke Week began on Monday August 8.
Organised by the Stroke Foundation, the week aims to raise awareness about stroke - what it looks like and how it impacts the lives of Australians each year.
A major message spread to people nationwide throughout the week was to use FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) to remember the signs of stroke, and share the message with family and friends.
Centre coordinator and Stroke Association of Victoria Gippsland region coordinator Sharon Slow said Stroke Week was an important day to raise awareness.
“People don’t realise just how quickly a stroke can hit someone... and the effects of it can go on for years,” she said.
“The number one risk factor is high blood pressure
“We support stroke victims, their families, their carers after they’ve been discharged from hospital.”
Ms Slow said the Stroke Centre received a lot of good feedback since launching locally earlier in the year.
“The referrals from Latrobe Regional are starting some come in quite thick and fast... it’s just getting the word out that we are here.”
“We’ve actually secured another hub at the enterprise building a Federation University in Churchill - so there will be two centres in the Gippsland region.”
Registered nurse from Latrobe Regional Hospital Georgia Hedley attended the morning tea and provided free blood pressure checks.
“Just taking some blood pressures and making sure they’re within their normal limits, and if not giving them some education,” Ms Hedley explained.
“We want to make sure we are reducing those risk factors.”
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood and Member for Morwell Russell Northe also attended the event.
Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood said there was a growing need for the kind of support the centre offered, especially with population growth.
“They are going to maintain the premises here...it’s a really good program and certainly, much-needed help for stroke sufferers,” he said.
Member for Morwell Russell Northe said he had been approached some time ago by the Stroke Association with the notion of having services in Gippsland.
“It’s great to see it established here firstly, in Warragul, but also coming to the Latrobe Valley shortly,” he said.
“Coming to Churchill is really a win-win situation for some of the medical training that occurs on site.”
“I think in the community sometimes its a bit of a forgotten issue and in the past, a lot of individuals and families have probably been isolated and alone... but to come into groups like this to talk with like-minded people, to share their own experience and journey and receive the support they need - not only in a physical sense but socially and emotionally as well is really important.”
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare cerebrovascular disease (which includes stroke) was among the top five leading causes of death in Australia in 2020 for both males and females. If you or someone you know experiences the signs of stroke, no matter how long they last, call triple zero (000) immediately.