Bonus Section: Stroke Care and What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Stroke Survivor Caregiving

Stroke is the #1 medical condition which requires long-term caregiving needs for seniors. Seniors who survive a stroke will need caregivers to assist with their rehabilitation and ongoing care as they recover or continue to live with the mental and physical damages caused by the stroke.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of a person's brain is interrupted or severely reduced. This deprives the brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients and within minutes brain cells begin to die.

Watch Video on Better Understanding Stroke Care:

Ischemic Strokes and Hemorrhagic Strokes can both be treated. Rehabilitation therapy will rebuild the stroke patient's ability to regain strength and recover as much functionality as possible. The impact of the stroke on the body connects to which side of the brain hemisphere was damaged. A stroke usually affects one side of the brain. Movement and sensation for one side of the body is controlled by the opposite side of the brain.

Some problems that happen after stroke are more common with stroke on one side of the brain than the other.

  • The right side of the brain controls the ability to pay attention, recognize things you see, hear or touch, and be aware of your own body.

  • In most people, the left side of the brain controls the ability to speak and understand language.

In some left-handed people, language is controlled by the right side of the brain and awareness by the left side of the brain.

Left Brain Impacted:

If the brain tissue on the left side of the brain was damaged, the movement and sensation on the right side of the body may be affected.

Brain damage to the left side of the brain may cause speech and language disorders.

Right Brain Impacted:

Difficulty with movement of left side of the body.

Reduce the Chances of a Stroke with These Steps:

  • Control blood pressure

  • Find out if heart disease is present, especially an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation (AF)

  • Don’t smoke

  • Find out if there is a diseased carotid artery (arteries that provide blood flow to the head)

  • Lower cholesterol

  • Limit alcohol intake

  • Control weight through a healthy diet and regular exercise

  • Properly manage diabetes

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

There are many warning signs that someone is suffering a stroke. Being attentive and responding quickly can help reduce the damage caused from a stroke. A stroke can affect different parts of the brain, resulting in different responses based on the area of the brain that is damaged from lack of blood flow. A person can become paralyzed, blind or unable to speak. It is VERY important that you call 9-1-1 and transport the individual to the hospital immediately.

MAJOR STROKE WARNING SIGNS:

  • Sudden loss of speech

  • Slurred speech

  • Sudden loss of vision (someone tells you everything is suddenly blurry or they can’t see)

  • Blurry or double vision

  • Sudden loss of movement-paralysis

  • Sudden weakness

  • Sudden and severe headache

  • Can include neck stiffness and vomiting

BE FAST is the acronym to remember to spot and respond quickly to a stroke.

In a stroke EVERY MINUTE counts. Use the BE FAST method:

B - watch for a sudden loss of BALANCE

E - is there a sudden loss or change of vision in the EYES

F - Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the FACE droop?

A – Ask the person to raise both ARMS. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their SPEECH slurred or different?

T – If you observe any of these symptoms, CALL 9-1-1 Immediately. TIME is important

What Is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive disease, meaning it progresses at a different speed for each person and does not happen all at once.

The disease causes loss of memory and confusion as the brain cells lose their ability to function properly. The brain cell connections and the brain cells themselves degenerate or die, and as this happens they destroy the person's memory and other important mental functions.

No cure exists, but medications and management strategies will delay the progression.

Watch Video on Understanding Alzheimer's Disease:

💡 Tip Sheet

Strokes will I mpact the Opposite Side of the Body from the Side of the Brain that was Impacted by Lloss of Blood Supply, Movement and Speech can be Regained Through Daily Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, time is of the essence so be on the lookout for BEFAST symptoms. the First 6 Months Following the Stroke is the Key Time Period for Regaining Abilities, No Cure for Alzheimer's Exists but Medication and Management Can Delay Progression