Stroke is listed by the National Stroke Association as the fifth top reason for death in the U.S., with upwards of 800,000 individuals suffering from a stroke annually. This translates to every 40 seconds, somebody, somewhere in the U.S. has a stroke. And every 4 minutes, an individual dies because of a stroke.
If you are caring for an older or chronically ill family member who is at an elevated risk for stroke, it’s crucial to be able to discern the signs of a stroke. The more quickly professional medical assistance is received, the better the chance the individual will live through the stroke. Signs of a stroke might include sudden onset of:
- Feelings of weakness or numbness in the leg, face, or arm – particularly on one side of the body
- Confusion, trouble with understanding or speaking
- Cloudy vision or trouble seeing
- Struggles with walking, feeling lightheaded, loss of balance or coordination
- Severe headache with no particular known cause
If you notice these potential stroke symptoms in someone, remember to act F.A.S.T.
Face: Ask the person to smile and notice if one side appears to droop.
Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm appear to droop downward?
Speech: Ask the person to repeat an easy sentence. When he or she does, observe if speech sounds slurred or if the person is not able to put together words the right way.
Time: Time is crucial! If you detect any of the above symptoms, call 911 right away or get to a hospital as soon as possible!
At Heaven at Home Senior Care, we pride ourselves on providing expert, highly-trained caregivers to care for your loved ones. We provide a broad variety of senior home care services, such as companionship, help with meals, personal care, and housework, to meet all of your senior loved one’s home care needs. Contact us at 866-381-0500 to learn more about our Argyle home health care and the areas we serve, or to schedule a complimentary in-home evaluation.