Novant plans focus on stroke in ’14
In honor of National Family Caregivers Month, Novant Health and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association held a Stroke Caregiver Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 2.
The day was devoted to thanking and pampering caregivers of stroke survivors and included an expert caregiver panel designed to answer questions to help caregivers continue to take care of themselves, so they can continue to help others.
Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term adult disability in the United States. Stroke is also the fourth leading cause of death in N.C. and in Forsyth County. Organizers say that helping caregivers of stroke survivors continue to take care of themselves is vital.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Novant Health have joined together for the first local F.A.S.T. partnership within the American Heart Association’s Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, comprised of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, to raise a greater awareness of stroke warning signs and the urgent need to call 9-1-1.
The goal is to teach people to more easily recognize stroke warning signs, which often come on suddenly, through a quick and easy acronym called F.A.S.T.:
F – Face drooping
A – Arm weakness
S – Speech difficulty
T – Time to call 9-1-1
Through this partnership, Novant Health and the American Stroke Association will be planning events throughout 2014 honoring stroke survivors, celebrating and supporting caregivers and promoting F.A.S.T. in Forsyth, Wilkes, Surry, Stokes, Yadkin, Davie and Davidson counties to ensure fast recognition and fast treatment for victims of stroke.
