The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year nearly 800,000 people living in the United States experience strokes. Approximately 66 percent of these individuals are 65 years of age or older. Strokes claim the lives of approximately 140,000 U.S. citizens each year. Seniors who survive experience various symptoms, depending on which area of the brain endured the trauma.
Posterior Brain Symptoms
Symptoms might include visual disturbances. Seniors may complain of seeing double, or they might lose vision in the central part of the visual field or only be able to see one side of the field. The lower or upper half of one or both visual fields may be blocked.
Seniors sometimes need help from family caregivers to manage stroke symptoms and lead independent lives. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elderly home care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Right Brain Symptoms
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, symptoms appear on the left side. Symptoms seniors may experience include varying degrees of paralysis, or they may no longer have control of the facial muscles on the left side, which often appears to droop. The left arm and leg might also be affected. Seniors might also experience some degree of cognitive impairment and visual disturbances.
Left Brain Symptoms
Symptoms appear on the right side of the body and may include facial or limb paralysis. Cognitive impairment might be evident. Strokes in this region commonly affect the language center of the brain. Seniors may know what they want to say, but they’re unable to speak or find the right words. Some might not be able to comprehend language.
Brain Stem Symptoms
The brain stem region plays a vital role in regulating breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. The symptoms seniors experience when damage occurs in this area vary based on the extent of the trauma. They may be paralyzed from the neck down, or they might also become comatose and require artificial respiration.
Weakness
Paralyzed limbs often feel weak. Muscles might exhibit uncontrollable spastic movements. The weakness and paralysis hinder the ability to change position without assistance. Seniors may not be able to walk or turn when standing secondary to a loss of balance. The physical unsteadiness might also be the result of damage in the region of the brain that controls balance. Swallowing or bowel and bladder control might also be affected.
Muscle weakness prevents seniors from performing everyday tasks like toileting and bathing. If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care in Philadelphia, Home Care Assistance is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors.
Generalized Fatigue
It’s not unusual for stroke survivors to tire easily during the first weeks following the event. The tired feeling may last for months. Prolonged fatigue might also be a side effect of medication or the onset of depression.
Emotional Symptoms
Stroke survivors commonly experience a barrage of emotional changes. They may feel angry, anxious, or depressed and lose their confidence. Often the symptoms occur secondary to the grieving process. The area of the brain that controls emotions might also be affected. In this case, seniors may cry, laugh, swear, or exhibit other behavioral symptoms that weren’t formerly part of their personalities.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Philadelphia, PA, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. Trust your loved one’s care to the professionals at Home Care Assistance. Reach out to one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (215) 645-4663.