Stroke Scorecards Offered During Awareness Month

SALISBURY — A baseball game wouldn’t be the same if the teams didn’t keep track of the score, and as in any sport, it is important to keep the score when it comes to personal health. Tracking what one is doing well and what improvements or changes are needed can lead to a healthier, more active life.

According to the National Stroke Association, in the United States, stroke is the third leading cause of death, killing about 137,000 people each year. Stroke is also a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability.

Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and food. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die.

"The best way to protect oneself from stroke is to understand the risk factors and how to manage them," said Therese Ganster, Peninsula Home Care branch director. "Risks can easily be assessed during a regular physical with your doctor. The good news is that strokes can be treated and prevented."

There are two types of risk factors for stroke — controllable and uncontrollable.

Controllable risk factors fall into two categories — lifestyle and medical. Lifestyle risk factors can often be changed, while medical risk factors can usually be treated.

To spread awareness in May, which is Stroke Awareness MONth, Peninsula Home Care is offering free Stroke Scorecards to help patients keep track of the risk factors involved with stroke.

Stroke signs and symptoms to watch for include the following: trouble with walking; trouble with speaking and understanding; paralysis or numbness on one side of your body or face; trouble with seeing in one or both eyes; and headache

For more information on stroke awareness and to download your free Stroke Risk Scorecard, visit www.peninsulahomecare.com or call 410- 543-7550.

Peninsula Home Care provides health care services, resources and "real world" therapy in the home. The home health staff provides and coordinates the care and/or therapy that a patients doctor orders. The home health staff develops a care plan that includes services to reach and maintain a patient’s physical, mental and social well-being. Services include nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology and access to medical social workers and home health aides. Peninsula Home Care ensures that all patients are involved in their plan of care and strives to give them every opportunity to maintain their independence in the home.

About The Author: Steven Green

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The writer has been with The Dispatch in various capacities since 1995, including serving as editor and publisher since 2004. His previous titles were managing editor, staff writer, sports editor, sales account manager and copy editor. Growing up in Salisbury before moving to Berlin, Green graduated from Worcester Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from Loyola University Baltimore in 1997 with degrees in Communications (journalism concentration) and Political Science.