How to Recognize the Signs of a Stroke in Older Adults

Identifying when a loved one is having a stroke is one of the many tasks that at home care providers in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Marina, CA can do to help keep senior loved ones safe and healthy

If you provide at home care for a loved one, you probably already know how important it is to be on the lookout for any change regarding Mom or Dad’s well-being, health or behavior. Strokes are one of the major health risks for older adults - and knowing the warning signs can literally save a senior’s life.

To help you understand the signs of a stroke better, we’d like to inform you about FAST. If you’re not already familiar with the method, it is an acronym developed in the late 1990s in the UK that helps to quickly determine whether or not a person is having a stroke. FAST is a mnemonic that makes it very easy to remember the most important warning signs of a stroke.

Here’s what it stands for:

• F for Face Drooping – Check if one side of your loved one’s face is numb or drooping. You can quickly determine this by asking them to smile for you – and if their smile appears uneven, you should call emergency services.
• A for Arm Weakness – Oftentimes, weakness or numbing in one arm is an indicator of a stroke. If Mom or Dad raises their arms and one immediately drifts downwards, they are most likely experiencing a stroke.
• S for Speech Difficulty – Slow and indistinctive speech is one of the most common signs of a stroke. Those experiencing a stroke often have difficulties finishing simple sentences or pronouncing words accurately.
• T for Time  – You need to call emergency service at once if you identified any of these symptoms in your loved one. A stroke is a race against time – the quicker the response, the lower the damage to the brain and the higher the chance for a successful recovery.

According to The American Stroke Association, at home care providers should also be on the watch for some additional symptoms of a stroke. They include:

• Sudden weakness or a numbing sensation in the leg, arm or face
• Blurred, dimmed or double vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulties with balance and coordination
• Confusion
• An intense, sudden headache

Making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly lower the risk of a stroke. For this reason, encourage your loved one to monitor their blood pressure regularly, adopt a senior-friendly exercise regimen, and eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.

If you don’t have enough time on your hands to visit Mom or Dad that often, consider hiring a local at home care provider like Visiting Angels Central Coast. A professional caregiver can help boost your loved one’s quality of life, promote healthy living habits, prepare meals, provide medication reminders and assist around the house.

“Our senior home care professionals provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Our compassionate caregivers make it possible for many seniors to continue living at home and for them to remain healthy,” explains Larry Meigs, President and CEO of at home care agency Visiting Angels.

With these simple guidelines, you will be able to recognize the signs of a stroke and react swiftly. By applying FAST, you will know exactly what to do – and this can make a huge difference on your loved one’s long term health and well-being.

To learn more about our senior care services, contact our Scotts Valley, CA office today.