Elder Care in Elk Grove CA

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is a leading cause of adult disability. Some startling facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about strokes that you may not know are:

• Strokes kill nearly 130,000 people each year.
• One American dies from stroke every 4 minutes.
• Each year more than 795,000 people have a stroke.
• Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability.

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is reduced to the extent that the brain is no longer getting the blood it requires. Because the brain isn’t getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs, brain cells die, impacting how areas of the brain function. This in turn impacts how the body functions.

The causes of a stroke vary. It can come due to a blocked artery or from a burst blood vessel. Knowing the warning signs is important in preventing permanent damage to your loved one if they suffer from a stroke. Talk with your parent’s elder care provider about stroke and make sure they know the warning signs to look out for. They include:

1. Difficulty speaking and comprehending what is said to them. Their speech may be slurred and they may seem confused.
2. Sudden weakness in the face, arm, or leg. Especially if that weakness is only happening on one side.
3. Numbness or tingling in the face, arm, or leg. Especially if that numbness is only happening on one side.
4. Sudden loss of vision or trouble seeing.
5. Difficulty walking and balancing. They may fall over and/or seem less coordinated.
6. Sudden blindness or difficulty seeing.
7. A sudden headache that comes on expectantly and without cause.
8. Women may also experience face/limb pain, nausea, hiccups, chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.

What should your loved one be doing to prevent a stroke from happening? Diet and exercise are important. A diet that’s high in fiber and low in fat is recommended. Keeping an eye on their blood pressure is also important. Make sure your mom or dad are seeing their doctor for regular check-ups and getting tips on how to stay healthy.

As you see from the statistics, stroke impacts many Americans every day. Making sure you and your loved one’s elder care provider know the warning signs of a stroke will go a long way in preventing long term damage to your parent if they ever have a stroke.

If you or an aging loved one needs elder care in Elk Grove, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.

Sources:

http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/

http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm

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Jay Bloodsworth

Owner at A Better Living Home Care

I started A Better Living Home Care Agency after seeing the impersonal and inconsistent service of large home care companies and franchises in the Greater Sacramento Area. I know, because I once worked for one. I left to put the “personal” back into home care.

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