SYNERGY HomeCare

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.

Whether you are just starting out on your caregiving journey or are a ways down the road, its always a good idea to have as many resources at your fingertips as you can.Here are five different ways to gather resources that can support your role as a family caregiver.1. Learn as much as you can about your loved ones condition.Whether its Alzheimers, Parkinsons, cancer, stroke or simply what to expect as someone ages, doing a deep dive into the topic can help you better understand what your loved one is experiencing now and may experience in the future. Tap into resources like the Alzheimers Association, the Parkinsons Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association, which are all great places to start.  2. Connect to a support group.Caregiving can sometimes be very isolating. You might feel like no one understands what youre going through. And unless someone has been in a similar situation, they probably wont. Learning from and leaning on people in your area who have shared experiences can provide welcomed emotional support and a wealth of knowledge, both of which can help you be the best caregiver you can be.3. Assemble a team.As the person who is probably most knowledgeable about and in closest proximity to your older loved one, you can think of yourself as the captain of the caregiving team. But being the captain doesnt mean you play every position. Key members of the caregiving team include your loved ones primary care physician as well as any specialists like a neurologist or cardiologist, your pharmacist, elder care attorneys, insurance representatives and home care agencies. If other members of the family serve as health care power of attorney or financial power of attorney, they should be recruited to the team as well.  4. Leverage community resources.Until you have a need for a specific type of support, you may not be aware of the many community-based resources there are at your disposal. You can find your local Area Agency on Aging by visiting this website.You can find out about meal delivery services, transportation assistance, nutrition counseling, caregiving and respite programs, and social activities offered in your area.Take advantage of the growing availability of grocery delivery services and prescription delivery services. Lightening your load is key to spending valuable time with your loved one.5. Reference family caregiving guides.SYNERGY HomeCare has a number of great family resource guides available here.  Titles include A Memory Care Family Resource Guide, which I wrote for SYNERGY HomeCare, the Family Caregiver Ultimate Guide, Fall Prevention Guide, Returning Home from the Hospital, and Navigating the Cancer Journey. You can also consult my books, A Dementia Caregivers Guide to Care and A Dementia Caregiver Called Action, both available on Amazon.At the end of the day, you have a lot on your plate as a family caregiver. But by taking the time to gather a list of various resources available to you, you can enhance your loved ones quality of life while giving yourself more time to engage with your loved one as a family member, not a caregiver.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 articles by Dr. Macie Smith, go to https://synergyhomecare.com/blog/.___________SYNERGY HomeCare offers no obligation home assessments. Find a location near you or contact us.