About Social Care

National Epilepsy Week runs from May 24 to May 30 in 2022. The week aims to raise awareness of the condition and how it affects people. At Cera Care, our team provides support for service users with epilepsy. If you’ve never provided epilepsy care before or would like to know more, we’ve put together some information to help you - authored by Lindsey Appleby-Flynn who leads on Cera's Design and Development within our L&D function.<br><br>
Whether you’re a care worker or a family member supporting someone with epilepsy, we hope that this guide can help you.<br><br>
<h3>What is epilepsy?</h3>
Epilepsy is a condition affecting the brain. It’s most commonly associated with seizures, which are caused by bursts of abnormal electrical activity within the brain.
There are many different types of epilepsy and many different types of seizures, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms. These can range from “auras”, during which the person might appear to behave completely normally to those around them, all the way to convulsions and loss of consciousness.
There is no cure for epilepsy. However, around two-thirds of people with epilepsy find that their condition can be at least partly controlled with medication.
It’s a very common condition, so you may well need to support someone with epilepsy during your [career in care](https://www.ceracare.co.uk/working-in-care). Approximately one in every 100 people has some form of epilepsy in the UK – this is around 50 million people worldwide! <br><br>
<h3>What happens during an epileptic seizure?</h3>
Some people experience warning signs before a seizure. These might include an intense feeling of déjà vu, smelling something that isn’t really there, or seeing flashing lights. 
However, not everyone experiences these. Some seizures come without any warning – they might even happen while the person is asleep.
There are lots of different types of seizures, including <br><br>
**Tonic clonic seizures:** These are what most people picture when they think of epilepsy. During a tonic clonic seizure, a person is unconscious and convulsing, as their muscles tighten and relax repeatedly. They may cry out, and their breathing may be affected.<br><br>
**Focal and focal aware seizures:** During these seizures, the person will be awake, but may feel confused or afraid. Their limbs might suddenly feel floppy or stiff, or they might jerk or make repetitive movements. They may experience hallucinations or sudden intense feelings of fear or déjà vu. These seizures sometimes happen as auras or warnings of a tonic clonic seizure.<br><br>
**Myoclonic seizures:** During a myoclonic seizure, muscles will jerk. These are usually brief, but they may happen in clusters, meaning that it can look like it lasts for longer. Unlike with tonic clonic seizures, the person is usually awake.<br><br>
**Absence seizures:** These are more common in children but can occur in adults too. The person may appear to be daydreaming and look blank for a short while. They will not be aware of what they are doing. Because these seizures are often short, they may not even be noticed. <br><br>
After a seizure, the person could be confused, upset, disorientated and incredibly tired. <br><br>

<h3>How can I provide the best epilepsy care?</h3>
<h4>Learn what to expect</h4>
If you’re supporting someone with epilepsy, it’s important to know the type of epilepsy they have. What type of seizures do they experience? Do they have any warning signs before a seizure?<br><br>
<h4>Learn about the person’s triggers</h4>
Some people find that certain things trigger seizures for them. Everyone’s condition is different, but triggers may include lack of sleep, drinking alcohol or missing medication. <br><br>
<h4>Medication</h4>
If the person you are supporting takes medication to control their seizures, it is vital that they are supported to take their medication in a timely manner. Delays or missed doses may result in seizures.
Anti-seizure medication doesn’t work for everyone. Some people who continue to have seizures may need emergency medication that is given during their seizures. If you need to administer this, you’ll be trained in advance. <br><br>

<h3>Epilepsy care during and after a seizure</h3>
If you suspect someone is about to have a seizure, guide them to sit or lie down somewhere safe. This will avoid injury on hard floors or furniture. 
Make sure that their head is cushioned. Do not put anything in their mouth, and do not hold them down.
Be aware of how long the seizure lasts – seizures that last over five minutes are a medical emergency. 
In some cases, you may need to administer medication during a seizure. If this is the case, you’ll be given training beforehand and it will be clearly marked in the person’s epilepsy care plan. <br><br>
When the seizure is over, they may be confused or upset, and may also have a headache and be very tired. It's important to give them quiet time to recover. They may be embarrassed and need reassurance, especially if the seizure has happened in public or if they have wet themselves. <br><br>
Don’t give them anything to eat or drink until you’re sure that they have recovered.
Most people will want to lie down and possibly sleep after a seizure. This is important, as it gives the brain time to recover. <br><br>

<h3>Emergencies in epilepsy care</h3>
You will not usually need to call an ambulance during an epileptic seizure. However, sometimes it will be urgent to get medical help quickly.
Call 999 if: <br><br>
- A seizure continues for longer than five minutes. <br>
- Multiple seizures follow on from each other with no break in between.<br>
- The person injures themselves during a seizure and needs medical help.<br>
- The person is having a seizure for the first time.<br>
- The person has trouble breathing even after the seizure has stopped.


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How to provide the best epilepsy care

Ali McIntosh is a professional carer and has been a carer with us since July 2020. She works with vulnerable people of all ages in their own homes. Her tasks include providing personal care, moving and assisting, and helping with meals and medication. Ali also supports a young lady on social visits in the community. 

In February 2005 Ali fell down a flight of stairs and sustained a massive bleed on the brain. She was taken to Hope hospital in Manchester and placed in an induced coma for two months. 

![Alison McIntosh .jpg](https://dev-website-static-assets.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Alison_Mc_Intosh_51a5c8f9a6.jpg)

Ali had an operation to remove a significant amount of her frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain that is responsible for cognitive functions such as memory, emotion, impulse control and social interaction and motor function. During extensive brain surgery, Ali had a frontal lobectomy and craniotomy. She also had a metal plate inserted in her head.

After the operation, Ali spent three months in hospital rehabilitating and relearning skills. Just six months after the fall Ali resumed her role with the NHS, where she had previously worked for 18 years as a retinopathy screener. 

Unfortunately, she was suffering from epilepsy due to her brain injury, and Ali was no longer confident with her role at the NHS. She worried that, working as a retinopathy screener, she might miss important signs and so it was agreed she would leave.
 
After five years of being seizure-free, Ali’s driving licence was returned to her and with that came increased freedom. It was after this that Ali came to the Rochdale branch to discuss having a go at working a few hours each week. 

That was two years ago, and since then Ali has increased her hours. She always does a fantastic job and the whole branch team has daily contact with Ali. If she has any concerns or thoughts Ali always calls the branch to talk them through. 

This has by no means been a smooth road for Ali, but she gives 100% in everything she does. She understands that sometimes she may say something inappropriate but she is never rude or insulting. Ali has a heart of gold and has come on so much in the past two years. 

Having a brain injury does not stop Ali from doing what she loves.


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Ali comes back from brain injury to enjoy a career in care

**23 years of making a difference, and Sandra keeps on caring**

March marked 23 years working in care for Sandra, and she’s certainly been busy! Sandra works for Cera Care in Warrington as a Care Assistant, she’s in high demand and always out taking care of the people who depend on her.

“It’s not all sit down and have a cup of tea,” says Sandra, speaking from those 23 years of care experience, “it’s hard work!”

Sandra started her career in care along with a friend and now, over two decades later, she’s still having fun in her role and with the people she cares for: 

“My favourite thing about this job is listening to their stories, and trying my best to make them smile.”

Smiling must be the best way to pass time because the 23 has obviously flown by for Sandra: “I can’t believe I’ve been here that long, it doesn’t feel like a job.”

With a laugh, Sandra shares some snippets of her 23 years of expertise and wisdom: “Find out where the clean toilets are, and never use the client’s towel.”

You get the feeling whenever you talk to seasoned carers like Sandra that a sense of humour is a vital part of what makes a good carer. Sandra backs this up with her own summary of what qualities a carer needs: “Lots of patience, broad shoulders - always a smile and a sense of humour.”

They’re very human qualities, reflecting the nature of the job. Caring isn’t a turn up for work and be counted type of job, it’s going to work and making a genuine difference. 
What does Sandra think her work does for the people she works for? 
“It means they can live in their own home” says Sandra. 

**A life at home,  a life less lonely, a life improved.**

A simple, and yet invaluable benefit that even a new carer can help provide to somebody, let alone someone with the vast experience of Sandra. 


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23 years in Social Care : Sandra's Story

**A career for life! Michelle has worked in care since she was 18. See how she fits her dream job around her lifestyle.**

Michelle's Story

More about working in care

How to provide the best epilepsy care

Ali comes back from brain injury to enjoy a career in care

23 years in Social Care : Sandra's Story

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