“Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of serious disability for adults,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “About 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year.” Conditions that increase the risk for stroke include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and common heart disorders including coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. The signs of stroke in both men and women include sudden:
- Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, mostly on one side of the body.
- Confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech.
- Trouble seeing.
- Trouble walking or loss of balance.
- Severe headache.
If you believe your senior parent may be suffering from a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and follow the steps below:
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
It’s critical to call an ambulance immediately to ensure your senior parent receives the proper treatment immediately. Recovery time after suffering from a stroke varies – it can take weeks, months, or even years for a person to recover, and some may suffer from long-term or lifelong disabilities. According to the CDC, after-stroke complications can include:
- Paralysis, weakness, or both on one side of the body.
- Trouble with thinking, awareness, attention, learning, judgment, and memory.
- Problems understanding or forming speech.
- Trouble controlling or expressing emotions.
- Numbness or strange sensations.
- Pain in the hands and feet that worsens with movement and temperature changes.
- Trouble with chewing and swallowing.
- Problems with bladder and bowel control.
Stoke recovery can be difficult, strenuous, and defeating. If your senior parent suffers from a stroke and is hospitalized, stay proactive and call SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona, Riverside, or Anaheim Hills before they are discharged so that our in-home caregivers can support your senior loved one through the long-term recovery process. Stroke recovery may include speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
Synergy HomeCare Corona, Riverside, and Anaheim Hills in-home caregivers are experienced and trained to help your senior parent regain their health and independence. Our in-home caregivers provide hourly assistance or around-the-clock care to help:
- Provide companionship to your senior parent, helping to calm anxiety, stress, and depression common among stroke patients.
- Coordinate and schedule with doctors, therapists, and specialists.
- Offer medication reminders for treatment and prevention.
- Provide transportation to various appointments.
- Report your senior parent’s health and progress.
- Assist with bathing, dressing, and personal care.
- Help with housekeeping and meal preparation.
- Avoid falls and injury.
SYNERGY HomeCare’s in-home caregivers can also help your senior parent lead a healthy lifestyle that may help to prevent another stroke. The CDC reports that one in four strokes each year are recurrent. SYNERGY’s in-home caregivers can help your senior parent lower their risk by providing healthy meals, managing medications, and helping your parent communicate with health care professionals.
About SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills
SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is the name you can trust in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange and Placentia for personal home care. SYNERGY HomeCare of Anaheim Hills is part of a national franchise of non-medical home care offices dedicated to providing exceptional and affordable service to anyone of any age. SYNERGY HomeCare caregivers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, to those in need – including seniors, expectant moms, those suffering from sports injuries and debilitating illnesses, and more. SYNERGY HomeCare of Corona & Riverside can be found online at http://www.synergyhomecare.com/agencies/ca/anaheim-hills/ca25 . The location also hosts active social media pages on Facebook and Twitter. Ken and Anna can be reached at 714- 706-1613 and [email protected] .
