News Now Irish Heart Foundation launches support service for newly discharged stroke survivors A national phone support service to help newly discharged stroke survivors make the transition back home in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has been launched by the Irish Heart Foundation in conjunction with the HSE’s National Stroke Programme. The check-in service is a response to significant reductions in community supports for stroke survivors resulting from both illness and the redeployment of large numbers of healthcare professionals to help tackle the COVID-19 emergency, coupled with earlier than usual discharge of many patients from hospital.
COPD Support Ireland Information Pack to Support cocooning sufferers
Initially, the calls are being made by the Irish Heart Foundation’s team of stroke support coordinators – who are already supporting hundreds of members of the charity’s stroke groups across the country. But as volumes increase, volunteers including stroke survivors and carers will also be activated. The callers are backed up by the Irish Heart Foundation’s support line nurses, whilst a traffic light system is in place to escalate calls when necessary to stroke nurses or the emergency services. It’s estimated that around 7,500 people are hospitalised after a stroke in Ireland each year
– the equivalent of 21 strokes a day nationwide and the majority of people will be discharged home after spending an average of around two weeks in hospital. In addition to the phone check-in service that actively makes calls to stroke patients, the Irish Heart Foundation’s nurse support line is available to answer questions any member of the public may have on any aspect of heart disease and stroke. Nurses can be contacted by calling 01 668 5001 or emailing support@irishheart.ie.
Cobh remembers Titanic anniversary
A “Cocooning with COPD” information pack with tips and advice for protecting physical and mental well-being for people with COPD has been announced by COPD Support Ireland. The pack contains the COPD & Me self-management booklet, the Staying Well – Cocooning from Coronavirus booklet, and a COPD communication card which patients can complete with their healthcare professional in making an action plan to help them manage their COPD on a daily basis. It features information on COPD, its risk factors, symptoms and diagnosis, as well as providing techniques to cope with breathlessness, exercises that people can do at home, tips for minding mental health, and guidance on nutrition. The pack has been developed in conjunction with the HSE National Clinical Programme Respiratory and the COPD Adviceline. The pack is available to download at www. copd.ie or can be ordered for postal delivery free of charge by texting the word COPD, plus name and address to 51444 (standard network charges apply). 2 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie
Junior Cert student Bláthín Verwey from Cobh prepares to place a floral tribute in the sea from the pier where 123 passengers departed Cobh to join the Titanic 108 years ago.
For the first time in over 20 years, there was no public ceremony to mark the anniversary of the sinking of The Titanic in its last port of call, Cobh, Co. Cork, as a result of the Coronavirus lockdown measures. Instead, a member of the Cobh Tourism Board placed a solitary floral tribute on the Titanic Memorial in the town square, to honour all those who lost their lives 108 years ago. Commenting, Chairman of Cobh Tourism Jack Walsh said, ‘Instead of a traditional public ceremony this year, we are inviting everyone to say a prayer or share a thought on Saturday (11th April) for all those who embarked on their final journey from Queenstown, as the town of Cobh was then known, on board the ill-fated Titanic’. Cobh (then Queenstown) was the last port of call for the Titanic on her ill-fated voyage
