Signs of Stroke
Not all strokes are catastrophic and immediately obvious. Many minor strokes hit without seniors or their caretakers immediately noticing. The longer it takes to recognize that a stroke has occurred, the more damage will be done to the brain, making recovery time longer and certain stroke side-effects potentially permanent.
Here are six signs to look for that indicate a stroke has occurred:
1. Confusion: When a stroke hits an elder, they may show signs of dementia or confusion where previously they were quite lucid.
2. Balance Problems: Strokes can leave their victims feeling dizzy, experiencing a loss of balance, or a loss of coordination.
3. Speech Problems: Strokes frequently slur speech or cause other speech problems, such as not being able to remember a certain word.
4. Loss of Eyesight: Strokes can cause a partial or a complete loss of sight in one or both eyes.
5. Numbness or Weakness: One of the most common signs of stroke is a sudden numbness or weakness, usually affecting just one side of the body. This numbness will often manifest in the face, leaving stroke victims unable to move one side of the face.
6. Headaches: Stroke victims often experience sudden and severe headaches for no obvious reason.
Testing to See if a Stroke Has Occurred
If you think an elder might have had a stroke but you want to be sure before you rush them to the hospital, here’s a quick scanning technique recommended by the US National Stroke Association:
1. Ask the potential stroke victim to smile. If one side of the face droops, this is a sign that a stroke has occurred.
2. Ask the potential stroke victim to raise both arms. If one arm drifts downward, this is a sign that a stroke has occurred.
3.Ask the potential stroke victim to repeat after you a simple sentence. If the words are slurred, or if the person cannot repeat the sentence without making an error, there’s a good chance that a stroke has occurred.
4. If one or more of these symptoms is present, it’s crucial to get the individual to the hospital as quickly as possible.
To remember this scanning technique, use the acronym “F. A. S. T.” “F” stands for scanning the face; “A” stands for scanning the arms; “S” stands for scanning speech; and “T” stands for time, which is of the essence.
Tags: caregiving, Elder Care, elder care Toronto, Stroke
