Understand the Signs of Stroke to Improve Stroke Recovery Outcomes

Stroke recovery begins by understanding what a stroke is, and the warning signs of stroke to watch for. Stroke, according to the National Stroke Association, is listed as the 5th top reason for death in the United States, with as many as 800,000 people experiencing a stroke every year. This means that every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke, and every 4 minutes somebody dies because of a stroke.

If you are taking care of an aging or chronically ailing relative who is at an elevated risk for stroke, it’s critical to be sure that you are able to discern the signs of a stroke. The sooner you access assistance, the more likely your loved one will survive the stroke. Symptoms of stroke can include sudden onset of:

• Feeling numb or weak in the arm, leg, or face – notably on one side of the body
• Trouble with understanding or speaking, confusion
• Blurred vision or problems with seeing
• Struggles with walking, feeling lightheaded, loss of balance or coordination
• Extreme headache with no particular known cause

If you detect these potential signs of stroke in someone, remember to act F.A.S.T.

Face: Ask the person to smile and notice if one side tends to droop.

Arms: Ask the individual to lift both arms. Does one arm droop downward?

Speech: Ask the individual to repeat a very simple sentence. When he or she does, note if speech is slurred or if the individual is not able to put together words the right way.

Time: Time is critical! If you detect any of the above symptoms, call 911 immediately or make sure the person gets to a hospital as soon as possible!

At Harmony Home Health & Hospice, a leading caregiver in Provo and the surrounding areas, we pride ourselves on providing professional, highly-trained caregivers to care for your senior loved ones. Our skilled care team can help make sure you understand the warning signs of stroke to watch for, along with help managing other chronic health concerns for someone you love. We offer a wide variety of senior home health care services, such as:

• Medication management
• Post-hospitalization care
• Wound care
• IV therapy
• Disease management and education
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• And many others

Get in touch with us at 1-877-I-NEED-CARE (1-877-463-3322) for more information about strokes and stroke recovery, and to learn how a caregiver in Provo and the surrounding areas can help.