Why It’s So Important to Recognize Stroke Symptoms Immediately

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Why It’s So Important to Recognize Stroke Symptoms Immediately in Winnipeg, MB

A stroke is one health event that should always be treated as an emergency. The risk of experiencing a disability or death goes up with each minute that passes after someone starts to show symptoms. Although seniors are at higher risk for strokes, younger people can also experience them. Fortunately, acting fast can be a lifesaver, since the most effective treatments need to be given within the first minutes to hours after the stroke begins.

Understand What Happens During a Stroke

There are several different types of strokes, but they all share one thing in common: the restriction of normal blood flow through the brain. Ischemic strokes are the most common type, and these are caused by blood clots that don’t clear on their own. Medical intervention is required to clear the clot and restore blood circulation. Hemorrhagic strokes are another type of stroke, and they involve blood vessels or aneurysms bursting and allowing blood to leak into the brain tissues instead of going where it needs to go.

Know Why Immediate Care Is Critical

Once blood flow is restricted to the brain, important cells and neural connections can die off. While some of these can be regained, a loss of a significant amount can cause a person to experience lasting effects, such as speech and memory disorders. The best current treatments include medications that can break up blood clots and help the brain recover. These are usually only able to be given within the first three to four hours for the best results. Essentially, it’s always better to reduce the length of time blood flow is restricted to the brain.  Recovering from strokes and other serious health issues can make it challenging for older adults to accomplish daily tasks. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care service families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Recognize Common Stroke Symptoms

Stroke survivors often depend on their loved ones to recognize the signs and arrange for emergency medical care right away. A person who is having a stroke might experience muscle weakness on one side of the body. For instance, the individual might be unable to lift one arm as high as the other. A sudden bout of confusion or the inability to speak coherently is another sign a stroke is occurring. Your loved one might also report neurological symptoms such as dizziness or blurred vision. In some cases, a person might also have a severe headache that feels different from any headache he or she has experienced before. Professional in-home caregivers can provide specialized care for stroke survivors and assist with several important tasks. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable elder care. Winnipeg, Manitoba, families trust Home Care Assistance to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

Act Fast when You Suspect a Stroke

You can ask your loved one to smile or raise his or her arm to see if there are signs of muscle weakness. However, you’ll want to call for emergency help immediately if your loved one shows other signs of a stroke. While you wait for emergency services to arrive, have your loved one sit or lie down in a safe location. This ensures he or she doesn’t fall down if he or she loses consciousness. Then stay by your loved one’s side until professional healthcare providers can take over. Rushing to a hospital is critical for your loved one’s survival and ability to enjoy a higher quality of life after recovery. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Winnipeg live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life. To learn about our quality-assured services, give us a call at (204) 489-6000 today. 

Related posts:

  1. 5 Changes in the Brain Following a Stroke
  2. 5 Ways to Hasten Recovery After a Stroke
  3. Great Mentally Stimulating Puzzles for Stroke Survivors
  4. When Is Vitamin C Especially Important for the Elderly?

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