Strokes are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. When one starts, you must move quickly in order to save as many brain cells as possible. The longer the stroke lasts, the more brain cells are lost, and the higher chance the patient has of suffering permanent damage, or even death.
A stroke could happen at any time, any place, and there is not much you can do to prepare for them in advance. What you can do, though, is make sure that both you and your senior care aide know the symptoms of a stroke, so that you can catch it early and get help for your aging loved one.
Stroke Symptoms
- Headache – A headache can be a sign of anything from a brain tumor to simple allergies. However, if your loved one has a headache that interferes with their functioning, and the pain is very intense and accompanied by any of the following symptoms, it could be an indicator of a stroke.
- Slurred speech – Is your loved one suddenly slurring their words, or saying things that don’t make any sense? Slurred speech is one of the most common symptoms of stroke, and if you notice it, call 911 right away.
- Facial drooping – Drooping on one side of the face is another identifying sign of a stroke. Have your loved one try to smile, and if one side of their lips don’t go up like the other side, this could be a sign that there is something wrong with the brain cells, and they need immediate help.
- Confusion – Confusion is never a good sign either, and should never be treated as just something that happens. If your loved one does not suffer from dementia or other related illnesses, and is usually very aware of where they are, a sudden onset of confusion about where they are or what they are doing can be a red flag.
- Weakness in arm or leg – Tingling or weakness in one arm and/or one leg is a telltale stroke symptom. If you suspect a stroke, have your loved one try to lift both arms up over their head. If they are unable to keep one arm from falling back down, this can be a sign that a stroke is happening, and you should call 911.
- Dizziness, disorientation – Dizziness and disorientation, like confusion, are never a good sign. They could be a sign of another condition, but since they can also be indicative of a stroke, you should never ignore them.
The most important thing to remember about strokes is that time saved is brain saved. If you notice any of the symptoms above, don’t waste time trying to decide if they are really having a stroke or not, and don’t have your senior care aide call your loved one’s doctor to let you know if you should call 911 instead. Call 911 immediately and tell them that you suspect a stroke, so that they will know that time is of the essence. If you do all of these things, your loved one will have a much better chance of surviving a stroke.
Source:
http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/how-survive-stroke/
IF YOU OR AN AGING LOVED ONE ARE CONSIDERING IN-HOME SENIOR CARE IN LAS VEGAS, NV, PLEASE CONTACT THE CARING STAFF AT GOLDEN HEART SENIOR CARE. CALL TODAY 702-800-4616.