How to React If You Suspect Your Senior is Having a Stroke

How to React If You Suspect Your Senior is Having a Stroke

 May 24, 2018

Senior Care in Pittsburgh PA: Senior Stroke Tips

 

As a family caregiver, you would like to think that serious health issues and challenges would be easy to detect and that you would have time to respond to them before they became severe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Serious issues such as strokes can occur extremely suddenly, and with little to no warning. This means you may not have time to prepare and will need to act fast. Knowing how to react if you even suspect your senior is having a stroke can give you greater confidence, and can also make a tremendous difference in them getting the care they need should this potentially life-threatening health event happen.

 

Use these tips to react effectively if you suspect your senior is having a stroke:

 

-Take a moment to evaluate the symptoms they are demonstrating. According to the American Stroke Association, the primary symptoms of stroke are facial drooping, slurred speech, and weakness in one arm, or on one side of the body. These, however, are not the only symptoms of stroke. Women, in particular, may experience other symptoms including nausea and facial pain. It’s important to be able to describe the symptoms thoroughly and effectively to emergency medical staff.

 

-Contact emergency medical assistance. As soon as you detect any symptoms you think may be caused by a stroke, call 9-1-1. Clearly describe the symptoms your senior is having, and express your concern that it might be a stroke. Even if you have only noticed one symptom that concerns you, or you are not sure about your parent’s symptoms, call 9-1-1 first before further evaluating symptoms. It is always better to call for emergency help when it is a false alarm, then to have something be severely wrong and not reach out for help.

 

-Be as clear and thorough with the emergency responders as you possibly can. Give them details about your parent including how old they are, any other medical conditions they have, how long you have noticed these symptoms if they are worse if they have any allergies or taking any new medications, and others. Stay calm, and answer questions clearly, concisely, and immediately.

 

How can senior care help?

If your aging loved one has recently suffered a stroke, or if they have specific risk factors that increase the risk that they will suffer a stroke, now may be the ideal time for you to consider senior care for them. Recovering from a stroke can be extremely challenging, and the services of a senior home care services provider along with the care and support you give to your parent can help to make this process smoother, less stressful, and more beneficial. A senior care provider can assist your parent through their recovery in many ways, improving their health and easing your stress.

This care provider can give your loved one companionship and emotional support that can help them to handle the difficult effects of a stroke, enabling them to feel more motivated and ready to move forward. They can also provide assistance with tasks throughout the home that allows your parent to get the rest they need to relax, rest, and heal, and support to make good lifestyle choices, stay compliant with medications and guidelines and improve their health as they move past their stroke.

 

If you or an aging loved-one are considering Senior Care in Pittsburgh, PA, please contact the caring staff at In-Home Quality Care today. Serving the Greater Pittsburgh Area since 1990! Call 412-421-5202

 

Source:

Stroke.org