Signs & Risk Factors for a Stroke

More than 750,000 Americans experience a stroke every year. Readjusting to life after a stroke can be overwhelming, but SYNERGY HomeCare Gerontologist Dr. Macie Smith has tips for a successful home-based recovery. When focusing on stroke recovery at home, be sure to review all of the information you received from the hospital and/or rehab facility. This will include any new medications that have been prescribed. It will also include information about in-home care providers for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. If there are prescriptions for any durable medical equipment like a walker or gait belt, make sure to understand how to use them properly.As you recalibrate to your at-home routine, it is important that you stick to the prescribed therapy sessions and that you do the prescribed exercises in between home visits from your therapists.The biggest focus of stroke recovery is getting ones strength back. But its equally important to recognize that a full recovery from a stroke may mean having a new baseline of ability and function. That means you may not get back to what you had before the stroke. Doing your therapy will mean that you get as much back as you possibly can.Another important component of recovery relates to understanding the recovery journey, which is specific to each person. Knowing what to expect during recovery can help manage expectations so frustration or despair doesnt set in. Talk with the doctors and therapists to get a clear picture on how much progress you might expect to make over specific time periods.Pay attention to your or your loved ones mental state during this period of recovery. An extreme sad mood lasting longer than two weeks may be a sign of depression, which will need to be addressed.The bottom line is that there are a lot of moving parts during stroke recovery at home. Family caregivers may be overwhelmed and need some assistance with activities of daily living. Respite care for the family caregiver may also be warranted.SYNERGY HomeCare offers highly personalized levels of quality care as early as pre-discharge from the hospital, and our Stroke Recovery program specializes in supporting a recovery plan at homethe best place to be.To learn how SYNERGY HomeCare can support you following a stay in the hospital, click here.Dr. Macie P. Smith is a licensed gerontology social worker who is focused on helping families support their aging loved ones through long-term care. Specifically, Dr. Smith educates caregivers on how to care for seniors with dementia. She is an advocate for specialized care and assists others in finding a way to provide a better quality of life for individuals with Alzheimers or dementia. Dr. Smith has dedicated over 22 years of her life working in gerontology and assisting families in finding personalized solutions for dementia care. For more information, please call 720-204-5788.

Strokes, often seen as a health concern primarily affecting older adults, can impact anyone at any stage of life. The fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability, strokes are prevalent and dangerous. In fact, every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke. Recognizing the signs of a stroke before it happens is crucial for timely intervention and better outcomes.The American Stroke Association explains that a stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it and brain cells die.Knowing the signs of a stroke before it happens can save someones life and help prevent long-term disability. Its especially important to learn stroke symptoms if you are caring for a person who is in a high-risk group, such as someone who has diabetes or high blood pressure. A stroke is always a medical emergency, and it can come on suddenly, at any time and any place.FAST is an easy way to remember the signs of a stroke.When you see these signs, you will know that you need to call 911 fast. FAST stands for:F Face droopingOne side of the face is drooping or numb. When the person smiles, the smile is uneven.A Arm weaknessOne arm is weak or numb. When the person lifts both arms at the same time, one arm may drift downward.S Speech difficultyYou may hear slurred speech or notice the person is having difficulty speaking. The person cant repeat a simple sentence correctly when asked.T Time to call 911If someone shows any of these symptoms, call 911 right away. Call even if one or more symptoms go away. Make a note of the time the symptoms first appeared.Beyond FAST, other symptoms you should know include:Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the bodySudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speechSudden trouble seeing in one or both eyesSudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordinationSudden severe headache with no known causeIn the event that you or a loved one experience a stroke, recovery support is available. SYNERGY HomeCare offers highly personalized levels of quality care as early as pre-discharge from the hospital, and our Stroke Recovery program specializes in supporting a recovery plan at homethe best place to be.___________SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us to learn how we can help you have a safe and comfortable recovery following a stay in the hospital.

Is a Stroke Preventing You from Enjoying Life? New therapy offers hope and healing in Central Florida Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States for people 65 and over. Nearly two million brain cells can die each minute during a stroke, leaving behind a wound in the brain. While the effects depend on the areas of the brain impacted, they commonly include partial paralysis, speech impairment, memory problems, cognitive difficulties, and even personality changes.  Physical, occupational, and speech therapies can help stroke survivors recover some lost function and learn to manage their condition, particularly in the first six months after the stroke. After that point, most are told that continued improvements are unlikely. Peer-reviewed, published research suggests that recovery is still possible, even years after a stroke.  A unique protocol of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been shown to trigger the bodys own self-regeneration mechanisms, restoring physical and cognitive functions. Clinical evidence indicates that this protocol can create new blood vessels, stem cells and nerve cells in the brain and improve physical abilities, attention, information processing speed, memory, and other skills.  Does it Work?  Cindy, a 67-year-old widow and hemorrhagic stroke survivor, was left unable to drive, work, walk without assistance, or even comb her hair. More than three years after her stroke, she turned to the Aviv Medical Program, a customized treatment plan built specifically for her needs. Her program included a unique, scientifically proven HBOT regimen along with cognitive training, dietary coaching and physical training to build the foundation for her ongoing recovery. Since completing the program at Aviv Clinics, Cindy can walk without a cane, work, drive her golf cart around The Villages, and even style her own hair.  Because of Aviv, Im now able to do those things, says Cindy. The more progress I make, the more I want to do.  About Aviv Clinics The Aviv Medical Program and this unique evidence based HBOT protocol is offered exclusively at Aviv Clinics in central Florida.  Wondering if the Aviv Medical Program right for you or someone you love? Contact Aviv Clinics for a free, no-obligation consultation with a licensed physicians or visit www.aviv-clinics.com to learn more.   Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dr. Mohammed Elamir, MD, FACP, lead physician at Aviv Clinics. The clinic may be reached at 352-488-2848 or by email at info@aviv-clinics.com.