First National Stroke Week

This week is Ireland’s first national stroke week initiated by The Irish Heart Foundation.

1 in 5 people are likely to suffer stroke at some point in their lives. While most stroke victims are over 65, stroke can strike at any time.

It is important to be able to spot the early warning signs and act as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence when attending to stroke victims.

Act FAST

A simple test can help you recognise if someone has had a stroke:

·         Facial weakness - can the person smile? Has their mouth or eye drooped?

·         Arm weakness - can the person raise both arms?

·         Speech problems - can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?

·         Time to call 999 for an ambulance if you spot any one of these signs.

Stroke symptoms include:

• Numbness, weakness, or paralysis on one side of the body

• Slurred speech, difficulty thinking of words or understanding other people

• Confusion

• Sudden blurred vision or sight loss

• Being unsteady on your feet

• Severe headache

What is stroke?

A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted because a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts open.

If blood flow is stopped for longer than a few seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen. Brain cells can die, causing permanent damage.

A transient ischemic stroke may also occur whereby blood supply is cut off briefly, sometimes for a few minutes. The person may not be aware that they have had a stroke however a TIA (transient ischemic attack) is a warning that there is a risk of full blown stroke or more TIA’s.

Stroke can result in death, paralysis, difficulties communicating, loss of intellectual or thinking ability, loss of vision and emotional changes.

Many people believe stress to be a factor in strokes however this is not the case. Risk factors do include high blood pressure, heavy drinking, recreational drug use, smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol. Age, race and family history all have a role to play but for the most part you can reduce the risk of stroke through managing your health correctly.

For further information on strokes and a full list of events around the country this week please visit www.stroke.ie

Work Life Balance - Can you really afford to go without?

Stress, anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders are the leading causes in absenteeism today yet these are for the most part preventable. So why are Irish businesses literally working themselves in to the ground?

In an attempt to create a lean, efficient corporate machine, bonuses, perks and benefits have been axed left right and centre. In the midst of all this corporate wellness has found itself unfairly labelled a luxury rather than a fundamental part of healthy business.  In addition to the lack of focus on employee health, the factors that negatively affect individual health (stress, anxiety, rapid change and additional workloads) have metastasised and grown exponentially.

Arthritis Ireland claim; The health of Ireland’s workforce is undermining our competitiveness.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) cause 50% of absences from work and costs the Irish economy €750 million annually. Early intervention and diagnosis could help keep workers fit for work for longer.

The human cost of work stress and strain has featured heavily in the media in light of the deaths at Foxconn and France Télécom last year.  Penalties for non compliance and breach of EU health and safety guidelines pertaining to stress are at the discretion of each country. In the case of France Télécom this could be severe and end in massive fines and jail time for the parties involved not to mention the amount of bad feeling and bad press associated

with the story.  The state prosecution service in Besançon said that it was investigating France Télécom on suspicion of ''manslaughter through lack of care, inattention, negligence and failing to respect a duty of prudence''.

These are extreme case of course but what's to prevent a similar situation unfolding here? With blatant disregard for mental health and stress in workplaces by both employee and employer, it seems like only a matter of time.

So when the budget is nominal, minimal or non-existent what can be done in the face of rising absenteeism, presenteeism and low morale?

The ideal Work Life Balance plan has the support of the CEO, directors and decision makers; has appropriate funding when possible; a clear HR policy on Work Life Balance; comprehensive plans to deal with physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of

staff; constant re-evaluation taking in to account any changes in the business or organisation; and SMART objectives and benchmarking.

There are ways to improve Work Life Balance rapidly and at low or zero cost: Employee engagement is one of the key factors in improving staff morale. Involving a cross section of employees in discussion and brainstorming can shed new light on how simple alterations and implementations can make big changes to how people feel about their workplace. 

Employee funded services are also an option. Work Life Balance offers a range of services including on site massage, fitness as well as stress and time management which can all be funded by employees, employers and can be fully or partially subsidised. For full details please visit www.myworklifebalance.ie

A complimentary consultation on Work life Balance is also available. Take the time to create a Work Life Balance strategy. Can your company really afford not to?