- Confusion or trouble understanding simple conversation or instructions
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- A significant headache with no real cause
Showing posts with label senior health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label senior health. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
The Major Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
Senior health professionals encourage anyone who cares for an elderly individual to learn the major signs and symptoms of a stroke. A stroke is a serious health episode that can cause debilitating damage when it not treated immediately. As soon as your elderly loved one begins to display the signs of a stroke, they need immediate medical attention. In order to make sure that this happens, it’s important to learn the key indicators of stroke. They include:
Numbness
If a person is having a stroke, they may experience numbness or weakness in one arm. To check for arm numbness, ask your senior to raise both of their arms above their head, and then look to see if one arm is slowly heading downward.
Face drooping
If your elderly loved one’s smile has begun to droop or they complain that their face has gone numb, this can indicate that they are having a stroke.
Trouble speaking
If your senior is having a stroke, they will have difficulty speaking properly and may become hard to understand. They may slur their words or speak sentences that don’t make sense. To test if this is taking place, ask your loved one to repeat a simple sentence. If they are unable to repeat the sentence correctly and clearly, it’s time to get them medical attention.
Other common indicators of stroke include:
Those who care for seniors should always be on the lookout for these warning signs, and should act quickly should they display themselves. With a stroke, every minute counts, so getting an elderly loved one to the hospital as soon as possible can greatly increase their chances of making a recovery.
Though strokes are brain-based, they can devastate a person’s entire body. A stroke can make it hard to feel emotions, speak clearly, and think. They may also cause full or partial paralysis on one side of the body. Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, it is even more important to learn the key indicators of a stroke.
Monday, December 23, 2013
How to Keep Your Senior Healthy During Flu Season
Flu season is in full swing, which means that you’ll need to take extra steps to ensure that your elderly loved one remains healthy. While older adults are especially vulnerable to the flu and its side effects, the U.S. Department of Health states that only 64 percent of those over 65 actually get the flu shot.
The first step in protecting your senior this flu season is to ensure that they get their flu vaccination.
Rumors frequently circulate about the flu vaccine, including that it actually gives a person the flu. In reality, none of these myths are true. The flu vaccination will not sicken your senior. It will only help to prevent them from getting seriously ill should they become exposed to the flu. The ideal time to get a flu vaccine is in late October or November, but the shots can still be effective in December or later on, too.
Inquire about a pneumonia vaccine
As you take your senior in to get a flu shot, eldercare professionals suggest asking the medical professional about whether your loved one would benefit from a pneumonia shot too. This vaccine works any time of year, and can offer your senior lifelong protection from this serious illness.
Do not allow sick people to visit with your elderly loved one
While your senior probably loves company, inviting sick people into the home puts your elderly loved one at risk for getting ill themselves. If a family member or friend is sick, explain that you would love to see them, but are trying to protect your senior. Then invite them over once they are feeling better. Most people will be understanding about the extra risks that seniors face when they are exposed to germs.
Encourage everyone in the home to wash their hands
If your elderly loved one lives with you, encourage everyone in the home to wash their hands regularly. This keeps the spread of germs to a minimum, thus protecting your senior. If the elderly individual lives alone, remind them about the importance of hand washing, and consider hiring a home care professional to come in a few days each week to ensure that the place stays tidy and germ free.
One of the best things your senior can do to stay healthy during this time of year is to get plenty of sleep and eat well. This helps the body to fight off infection.
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