VISITING ANGELS BETHESDA, MD 301-490-9050
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How Elderly Home Caregivers Can Recognize the Signs of a Stroke

Knowing the common signs of a stroke can help elderly home care providers in Aspen Hill, Silver Spring and Laurel, MD act likely to maintain their loved one’s health and safety

You may be a family caregiver. As you know, this comes with a lot of responsibility, and, more often than not, your loved one’s health will end up in your hands. To do the best that you can for your loved one, the senior care professionals at Visiting Angels have put together this short guide to help you easily recognize signs of stroke in your loved one and react quickly. This can make a lot of difference in your loved one’s life. As elderly home care providers, we care about seniors in Aspen Hill, Silver Spring and Laurel, MD.

Most often, when an individual is experiencing a stroke, they will not be in any pain. In fact, most are not aware of the fact that they are having a stroke. That is why being able to effectively recognize the signs of stroke as a caregiver is such an important part of elderly home care.

Your most important tool going forward will be something called FAST. It is a mnemonic device developed in the 1990s and it is a way to help yourself to remember what to look for when deciding whether to call in medical professionals on suspicion that your loved one may be having a stroke.

What are the warning signs? Let’s find out:

  • F – Face Drooping – If your loved one’s face is numb or it appears to be drooping, they may be having a stroke. If you are not sure about whether your loved one’s face appears to be drooping, there is a simple test. Ask them to smile. If one side of their face is still drooping when they smile, it is time to act and get them medical attention.
  • A – Arm Weakness – Arm weakness and or numbing is a stroke warning sign. To check if it is serious and indicative of a stroke, ask your senior parent to raise their hands and hold them at a 90-degree angle. If one hand begins drifting downward, they may be having a stroke.
  • S – Speech Difficulty – Problems with speech, like slurring or trouble constructing sentences, may be a warning sign of a stroke.
  • T – Time to Call 911 – If your loved one is experiencing any or all of the above symptoms, act quickly and call for help. Your should call 911 even if their symptoms have gone away because they still may have had a stroke and are in need of medical attention.

These symptoms are not the only ones your loved one may experience if they are having a stroke.

According to the American Stroke Association, the following are also stroke warning signs:

  • Quick onset numbing or weakness in one leg
  • Problems with comprehension like confusion
  • Eye or vision problems
  • Issues with balance, coordination, walking or dizziness
  • Headaches that are sudden and severe

There are plenty of things your loved one can do to prevent their risk of stroke and they should be incorporated into their elderly home care. They include maintaining a low blood pressure, regular exercise and healthy eating habits.

Visiting Angels has provided personalized elderly home care services for many seniors throughout Aspen Hill, Silver Spring, Laurel and surrounding communities in Maryland. To learn more about how we can support your loved one around the house following a stroke, contact our office today.

Serving Montgomery County, MD, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Aspen Hill, Colesville and Laurel

Visiting Angels BETHESDA, MD
4803 St. Elmo Ave 2nd Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-490-9050
Fax: 410-549-2909

Serving Montgomery County, MD, including Bethesda, Silver Spring, Aspen Hill, Colesville and Laurel

Visiting Angels BETHESDA, MD
4803 St. Elmo Ave 2nd Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-490-9050
Fax: 410-549-2909