Know the Signs, Act F.A.S.T, Save Lives: Honoring National Stroke Awareness Month
Author: Dr. Claire Leegard
Every May, National Stroke Awareness Month reminds us of the urgent need to educate, prevent, and support recovery from strokes, as well as highlight the incredible support available—especially here in Illinois. With strokes being the number 5 cause of death in the US and the leading cause of long-term disability, it is vital to understand the risk factors, warning signs, and available care options, especially for older adults and their caregivers. Whether you’re a caregiver or a family member, Home Helpers Home Care ® of Wheaton and Naperville’s team is here to help you navigate this journey with compassion and expertise.
Understanding Stroke: What You Need to Know
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, either by a blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). It happens when brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients, causing damage within minutes. According to the American Heart Association Journals, for every minute a stroke is left untreated, the brain loses an estimated 1.9 million neurons. The more neurons lost, the greater the impact on speech, movement, memory, and overall quality of life.
Strokes can affect anyone, at any time, and often occur without warning. Depending on the area of the brain affected, they can lead to a wide range of disabilities. These may include paralysis or weakness, difficulty with movement control, sensory issues, reduced mobility, and problems with speech, memory, thinking, or understanding language.
How to Spot a Stroke with F.A.S.T
If you ever find yourself in the presence of someone you’re not sure is having a stroke, the American Stroke Association recommends a simple test known as Act FAST to help recognize the symptoms for stroke:
- F – Face Drooping: Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
- A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- S – Speech Difficulty: Is speech slurred?
- T – Time to call 911: Call 911 immediately! Note the time when any of the symptoms first appear.
Watch for other symptoms:
- Numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Trouble Seeing in one or both eyes
- Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache with no known cause
Where to Find Resources in Illinois
- American Stroke Association
- provides a Stroke Support Group Finder to locate nearby groups and offers a Stroke Family Warmline at 1-888-478-7653 for assistance.
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- lists designated stroke centers and related resources
- Stroke Survivor 2 Survivor Program
- free, telephone-based peer support initiative designed to assist stroke survivors and their caregivers during the early stages of recovery.
- Edward-Elmhurst Health (Naperville)
- offers monthly in-person support groups for stroke survivors and caregivers
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (Chicago)
- conducts monthly stroke support meetings featuring guest speakers on recovery topics.
- Home Helpers ® of Wheaton and Naperville
- If stroke has impacted your life or that of someone you know, Home Helpers of Wheaton and Naperville’s compassionate caregivers provide seniors with specialized care, including support for stroke recovery, recuperative care, 24-hour in-home care, respite care, wellness calls, 24/7 monitoring services, and more. Contact us at 630-800-3837 to learn how we can support your family.
Why Choose Home Helpers?
As a nurse-led agency, I bring a deep understanding of stroke recovery, offering guidance on supportive measures and compassionate care to every home we serve. My team includes trained caregivers who know that stroke survivors need personalized, attentive support. We focus not just on care tasks, but on building trust and giving families peace of mind. Schedule a free consultation this Stroke Awareness Month—let’s talk about your needs and how we can help.
Let’s Honor Stroke Awareness Month Together
We honor the strength of stroke survivors and the caregivers who support them this May. Whether you need education, guidance, or a helping hand at home, you’re not alone. Contact Home Helpers® of Wheaton and Naperville or connect with Illinois’ strong network of stroke resources. Together, we can bring hope and support to every step of recovery.
Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.