Stroke carers receive hands-on training in Suva

Carers of stroke survivors in Suva received hands-on training on Saturday at the Salvation Army Hall on MacGregor Road as Counterstroke Fiji marked World Stroke Observance Month with a practical skills workshop for 20 carers.

Counterstroke Fiji president Elizabeth Fong said the workshop was specifically designed to focus on the needs of carers.

“They too need attention — physical attention. They need to keep themselves physically fit to care for others and psychologically fit as well,” Ms Fong said.

The day-long programme, held during Fiji Stroke Observance Day last Saturday, brought together the Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s stroke team led by Dr Shrish Acharya and counselling organisation Empower Pacific.

Physiotherapists from the stroke team taught carers practical skills, including how to move a survivor from a bed to a wheelchair, transfer them from a wheelchair to a walker and assist with dressing.

Ms Fong said carers were also reminded that stroke survivors retained some abilities and should be encouraged to do as much as possible independently.

“We encourage carers to support stroke survivors in doing what they can for themselves,” she said.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Fiji after cancer and heart disease.

Ms Fong said carers often neglected their own wellbeing while supporting survivors.

“If you are not well, how will you look after the survivor?” she said.

Counterstroke Fiji, established in 1988, is the only stroke organisation in the Pacific. It is based at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) Complex at 3 Brown Street, Suva.