Key Signs of a Stroke and How to Help Seniors Prevent One

A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain stops because of a ruptured blood vessel or because of a clot. This means that oxygen doesn’t get to those brain cells and damage occurs. Depending on where in the brain the stroke occurs and the severity of the stroke, patients may experience brain damage, lingering disability, or even death. Recognizing the signs of a stroke can get necessary help to improve those outcomes. And senior home care providers can help families do everything possible to prevent seniors from experiencing a stroke.

Face Drooping

Face drooping, typically on one side of the face, is a very obvious sign that many people experience after a stroke. A quick test involves asking the person to smile, seeing whether they are able to move both sides of their face or not. Any sign of face drooping is a sign for concern and home care providers know to call for help immediately.

Speech Trouble

Sometimes seniors experience trouble speaking after a stroke. Their speech might be slurred, or they might have trouble coming up with words that make sense. If seniors are talking but it’s difficult to understand them, they might have had a stroke and need immediate medical attention.

Sudden Confusion

When seniors have been following a conversation just fine and suddenly seem confused or have trouble understanding what is going on, that can be a sign that they’re experiencing a stroke. The key here is that the confusion is sudden, because that indicates a big change. This is more than just forgetfulness and should be taken very seriously.

Arm Weakness

Because strokes usually occur on one side of the brain instead of both, weakness on one side of the body, typically in the arms, can indicate that a stroke has occurred. Seniors who have just had a stroke might be uncoordinated or unable to move one side of their body. Asking them to raise both arms might result in them lifting one but not the other or struggling to keep one arm lifted.

Vision Issues

After a stroke seniors might not be able to see out of one or both of their eyes. They might experience sudden blurry vision or even double vision. If the change is mild, they might try to explain this away as something else, but vision changes along with any of these other signs is a definite cause for concern.

Tips for Stroke Prevention

Preventing strokes is always better than experiencing one and seniors need to understand their stroke risk factors. Adopting a healthy diet that supports their heart is a good start. If seniors have trouble with blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels, keeping these under control can help prevent a stroke. Some of these issues require lifestyle changes that seniors might have been reluctant to make in the past. But with the help of senior home care providers, it’s a lot easier for them to take action to prevent a stroke.

Strokes are a very big health issue that are preventable in so many cases. Senior home care providers can help families stay alert for signs of a stroke while also working to prevent one in the first place.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring senior home care in Cupertino, CA, please contact the caring staff at Home Helpers today (408) 317-4969