What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that affects approximately 600,000 people in the UK. Characterised by recurrent seizures, epilepsy can manifest in a variety of symptoms, from brief lapses in attention to severe convulsions. Appropriate care and support are essential to manage the condition effectively and improve the quality of life for the individual affected.

Seizures are bursts of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affect how it works. They can cause a variety of symptoms.

Epilepsy can start at any time during one’s life but generally comes in childhood or in older age (people over 60). This condition is often lifelong, but can sometimes gradually improve over time.

What Causes Epilepsy?

Electrical signals in the brain become scrambled, and sometimes sudden bursts of electrical activity occur, causing seizures.

Generally, it’s not totally clear why this occurs. It could be partly due to genes affecting how your brain functions, as 1 in 3 individuals with epilepsy also have a family member with the condition.

Sometimes, epilepsy can be caused by damage to the brain, such as from strokes, brain tumours/infections, severe head injuries and other causes, such as drug/alcohol misuse (NHS UK).

Understanding Epilepsy:

Epilepsy symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of seizures experienced. Common symptoms include:

• Convulsive Seizures: Involuntary jerking or shaking, typically involving the whole body.
• Absence Seizures: Brief lapses in consciousness, often mistaken for daydreaming.
• Partial Seizures: Affecting only one part of the brain, leading to unusual sensations or movements.
• Auras: Warning sensations before a seizure, such as strange smells, tastes, or feelings of déjà vu.
• Loss of Awareness: Episodes where the individual may stare blankly or engage in repetitive movements without awareness.

Providing Care for Someone with Epilepsy from Home:

The first step in caring for someone with epilepsy in their home involves an in-depth assessment of the individual’s specific requirements, symptoms, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Our team will then work closely with the individual, their family, and other clinical and medical professionals to evaluate their condition and the level of assistance they require in their care plan. A complex care package for a client with epilepsy can cover the following:

• Helping with daily tasks and activities
• Mobility assistance including complex moving and positioning
• Complex medication administration and management
• Monitoring vitals
• Psychological and emotional support
• Epilepsy and seizure management

Benefits of Home-Based Care:

Living with epilepsy can be very tough, but with the correct in-home care plan and adequate support in place, which adapts over time depending on the individuals’ requirements, those with epilepsy can live happy and fulfilling lives.

Providing complex care for someone with epilepsy at home offers several benefits:

• They receive care in a familiar environment: The individual remains in a comfortable and familiar setting, reducing stress and anxiety, and putting their family members more at ease.
• Personalised care: Care can be better tailored to the client’s specific needs, preferences, and daily routines.
• Increased independence: Home care promotes greater independence and autonomy compared to standard care in a hospital.
• Family involvement: Family members can play a more active role in supporting their loved one, providing more emotional support than would usually be possible in a hospital.

HFH Healthcare:

At HFH Healthcare, we understand the complexities of caring for someone with epilepsy. Our comprehensive complex care plans are designed to meet every individual’s unique and varied needs, providing holistic support through our expert nurse-led care, so that no matter the severity of the client’s condition, we can improve their dignity, quality of life, and independence.

To learn more about our complex care services, please call us on 0208 605 9714 or email referrals@hfhhealthcare.co.uk.