Since May is National Stroke Awareness Month, we want to share some facts and prevention tips about strokes:

• Did you know that strokes are the number 5 cause of death and the number 1 cause of disability in the United States?
• Did you know that a stroke is caused by blood flow being cut off from the brain? There are 2 types of strokes: 1) ischemic stroke, which is when a clot obstructs blood flow to the brain; or 2) hemorrhagic stroke, which is when a blood vessel ruptures and prevents blood flow to the brain.
• Did you know that if blood flow is cut off from various parts of the brain, the body functions that that part of the brain controls won’t function as they should? 40% of stroke patients will have moderate to severe impairments that require special care! This is why strokes are the number 1 cause of disability.

It is important for people to control lifestyle and medical risk factors that contribute to a stroke. These include (but are not limited to):

• Eating habits
• Physical activity (or lack of it)
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Circulation problems

In other blogs we have discussed preventing some of these risk factors. Check out these blogs – How Can Your Senior Loved One Eat Healthier?, Do You Know the 4 Tips to Avoid Getting Type 2 Diabetes?, or Five Simple Changes to a Healthier Heart.

Knowing these facts, if someone does have a stroke, every minute counts; the faster they can get treatment, the better their chances of recovery.

Think F.A.S.T.:

• F – Face Drooping: Is one side of their face drooping or numb? If their smile is uneven it could be a sign of a stroke.
• A – Arm Weakness: Is one arm weak or numb? Can they raise both arms? If one drifts down it could be a sign of a stroke.
• S – Speech Difficulty: Is their speech slurred, hard to understand or they can’t speak at all? This could be a sign of a stroke.
• T – Time to Call 911: If someone exhibits any of these symptoms, even if they seem to go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately. Every second matters. Also, check the time so you know when these symptoms first started. Doctors will use that to track how long the brain may have been without blood flow.

Assisting Hands® Home Care we can be with your loved one when you can’t be there. Our caregivers are trained to look for these symptoms and can get help quickly. Whether you need someone to be with your loved one during the day, in the evening or overnight we can accommodate your needs. You will have peace of mind knowing that your loved one isn’t home alone when they need help with medication, fall prevention, personal care, eating or other needs.

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home fall prevention assessment at 630-305-9100.