Long Term Communication support for stroke survivors totally inadequate

28/5/2008

According to new figures from The Stroke Association, a staggering nine out of ten (88 per cent) of stroke survivors in England are left unsupported and isolated in the community.

Aphasia is one of the most common disabilities following a stroke, affecting one’s ability to speak and understand language. The charity estimates that at least one third of stroke survivors are currently living with aphasia: literally ‘living in a silence’ – frightened, frustrated and isolated, unable to speak or understand language.

Joe Korner, Director of External Affairs for The Stroke Association explains, ‘We all need to communicate. Whether it’s through speaking, a hand gesture or the blink of an eye, the ability to interact with others is crucial.  The loss of these basic skills can leave stroke survivors feeling imprisoned and depressed’.

The Stroke Association’s new report, Lost without Words looks at the devastating effects of aphasia for stroke survivors. These can include loss of confidence and independence, and can lead to depression. The report highlights the alarmingly low levels of awareness among the public, health professionals and key decision makers in health and social care policy.

Importantly, the study also found that stroke survivors who received long term communication support in a group setting reported a better recovery and huge personal achievements. It concluded that these groups enable stroke survivors to develop new strategies to replace lost communication skills, continue to improve and maintain these skills and facilitate social interaction which can prevent depression and isolation.  The groups also provided respite for carers.

The Lost Without Words report calls on Primary Care Trusts to:

  • carry out an audit into the incidence of people with stroke-related communication disabilities so that the right levels of support can be planned and delivered
  • establish clear referral procedures into communication support services via multi-disciplinary community stroke team 
  • commit to Communication Support becoming an integral part of the stroke care pathway
  • ensure where appropriate that clients of Speech and Language Therapists are referred to a communication support group
  • monitor closely the stroke survivor’s needs through regular reviews at the six-week discharge, the first six months and then every year thereafter.


Joe Korner concludes: ‘As our report shows, with the right support stroke survivors are able to have a good quality of life and play an active role in society. The benefits are not only a cost-saving to our healthcare system – they are a basic human right for every individual.’

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For further information please contact The Stroke Association Media Team on 020 7566 1500 or email the Press Office

           

 

 

Notes to editor

  1. To view the report please visit Lost without Words pages of the website

  2. Case histories and Stroke Association spokespeople are available

  3. The Stroke Association commissioned a qualitative study through the use of focus groups. The work was undertaken by Social Solutions Ltd.  All those who took part in the focus groups currently attend or have attended a communication support group.  Twenty-one people took part and each of their stories is unique and reflects a personal journey.

  4. Facts about strokes:

  • A stroke is a brain attack.  It happens when the blood supply is cut to the brain.  It causes brain cells to die and results in brain damage.
  • An estimated 150,000 people in the UK experience a stroke every year.
  • Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of disability in the UK.
  • Around one third of people who have a stroke will die, one third will make a complete recovery and the other third will experience some type of disability as a result.
  • The Stroke Association estimates that around one million people in the UK are living with the effects of stroke.


The Stroke Association