Signs of a Stroke That Seniors Should Never Ignore
Although often associated with seniors, a stroke can happen to anyone at any time. Often associated with slurred speech, memory impairment, and muscle weakness on one side of the body, a stroke is essentially a disruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain. This disruption deprives brain tissue of nutrients and oxygen. Within minutes, the brain cells begin to die, causing the person suffering a stroke to lose the abilities controlled by that area of the brain. The outcome of a stroke depends on the severity of the stroke, where it occurred in the brain, and how much of the brain was damaged while being deprived of blood supply and oxygen. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, a month dedicated to educating Americans about the facts and signs of a stroke. Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk for experiencing a stroke only increases with age and approximately one out of four strokes are repeated strokes.
As with all medical emergencies, early action is important in regard to a stroke. For those suffering a stroke, early action could be the difference between mild and severe impairment, or even life and death. Most of us recognize sudden numbness on one side of the body as a sign of a stroke. However, there are other signs that indicate stroke that are often missed, such as slurred speech, difficulty understanding speech, blurred vision, or a sudden, severe headache.
In order to help seniors and others recognize the warning signs of a stroke, the National Stroke Association has created an acronym. By taking the time to memorize this acronym, you’ll feel confident to act F-A-S-T. Fast action is critical so that your aging loved one can receive the help and treatment they need.
F is for Face
One sign of a stroke is a drooping face. If you think your aging loved one is suffering a stroke, ask them to smile. Pay attention to the corners of their smile. Does one side droop? If so, it could be a stroke.
A is for Arms
Another sign of a stroke is hemiparesis, or a weakness of one entire side of the body. A quick way to assess this is to ask your aging loved one to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward or they can’t seem to lift one arm, then it could be a stroke.
S is for Speech
Pay attention to your aging loved one’s speech, looking for slurred or strange speech as another sign of a stroke. If they’re trying to carry on a conversation with you but aren’t making any sense or slurring their words together, it could be a stroke. If they weren’t talking, ask them to repeat a simple phrase to quickly assess their speech.
T is for Time
If any of these signs are present, it’s critical that you contact help immediately. Call 9-1-1 and tell them you believe your aging loved one is suffering a stroke. They can dispatch first responders who can then intervene appropriately. Remember that each minute a stroke goes untreated means that the blood flow to the brain remains blocked, causing neurons to die. These three signs of a stroke should never be ignored.
Visiting Angels Richmond is here for you, should you or your aging loved one suffer a stroke. We are also here to help educate our clients and their families about matters that are important for seniors, such as the signs of stroke. We recognize that the earlier a stroke victim receives medical intervention, the greater their chances for survival. For us, senior home care is more than a weekly shower and assistance with the laundry. Our compassionate caregivers are highly trained to work with seniors with varying medical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs. We’re here for you should you need help in the future. Please contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can partner together.