Stroke victims that are treated within 90 minutes of the onset of stroke symptoms have the highest rate of recovery and show the most improvement in the months following. Because every minute counts when it comes to these medical emergencies, families should understand some of the most common stroke symptoms. Presented by Waterloo Home Care Assistance, here are 4 stroke symptoms to watch out for.
1. Numbness and Weakness
For many seniors, the first sign of a stroke is numbness or weakness throughout the body. This might occur in the face, arms, or legs, and is generally localized to one side of the body. The key indication these feelings of numbness or weakness are the sign of stroke and not the “pins and needles” sensation that is common if circulation is cut off to the extremities, is their rapid onset. If your elderly loved one suddenly experiences weakness or numbness that does not dissipate after a few moments, he or she may be having a stroke.
2. Cognitive Problems
A sudden difficulty speaking, understand standing what others are saying, and general confusion may also indicate a stroke. Cognitive stroke symptoms generally occur together, so, though experiencing confusion may be the sign of another health problem, when these three symptoms present at the same time, it is likely the result of a stroke. If your elderly loved one has cognitive challenges, identifying this symptom may be more difficult, so learning to recognize unusual behavior or reactions in your loved one can be helpful.
3. Vision and Coordination
A stroke occurs when blood is not able to circulate through certain areas of the brain, which often results in vision and coordination problems. Many stroke survivors report that the stroke gave them tunnel vision or made things suddenly fuzzy or dizzy. Suddenly knocking into furniture or other obstacles can be the result of this symptom.
4. F.A.S.T.
Many senior care experts suggest that family and part-time caregivers in Waterloo learn the F.A.S.T. system of recognizing stroke symptoms. This includes:
F – Face: Is one side of their face drooping?
A – Arms: Can the patient lift both arms to the same level?
S – Speech: Can the patient repeat a phrase without slurring?
T – Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately if you observe any of these signs.
If your elderly loved one has experienced a stroke, a post-stroke caregiver in Waterloo can promote an efficient recovery process. At Home Care Assistance, our expertly trained caregivers provide a variety of customized services to help stroke survivors with navigating the home, personal grooming, bathing, and other daily tasks that can become difficult following a stroke. To learn more about how our professional caregivers can help promote your loved one’s stroke recovery, give an experienced Care Manager a call at (519) 590-2792. Available 24/7, our Care Managers can answer your questions and schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.