| Stroke is a major cause of death in the United | | | | - Sudden confusion or difficulty producing and |
| States, and senior citizens are especially prone to | | | | understanding speech |
| experiencing a stroke and some of the long-term | | | | - Sudden inability to see in one or both of the |
| effects that can result. African Americans tend to | | | | eyes |
| also be at higher risk for stroke. | | | | - Sudden trouble walking or maintaining balance |
| Knowing the signs of stroke and what to do | | | | - Sudden severe headache without any other |
| when one occurs is very important. Caregivers of | | | | known cause |
| senior citizens or other friends and family should | | | | Because we cannot see that someone is having a |
| know these signs so that they can act quickly to | | | | stroke unless they are showing the symptoms |
| reduce the serious effects that can occur as a | | | | mentioned above, it is important to know how to |
| result of a stroke. Someone suffering a stroke | | | | recognize this sudden onset of symptoms and act |
| should always get to a hospital within an hour | | | | quickly by seeking immediate medical attention. If |
| after symptoms begin. | | | | you suspect that you are someone you know is |
| A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is | | | | having a stroke, call 911 immediately. |
| stopped by a blood clot, which is usually a side | | | | Prevention |
| effect of damaged blood vessels. When the brain | | | | Senior Citizens should take active steps to |
| does not receive oxygen from blood flow, there | | | | maintain a healthy lifestyle. Caregivers should |
| is a rapid rate of cell death that occurs and can | | | | encourage such activities to prevent disease. The |
| manifest into mental or physical disability | | | | following are suggestions will help prevent strokes. |
| depending on how long the stroke goes untreated. | | | | Because strokes are due to complications with |
| Ischemic strokes involve clots that work as a | | | | blood vessels, one way to prevent stroke is to |
| "plug" in blood vessels leading to the brain while | | | | keep high blood pressure under control because |
| hemorrhagic strokes involve clots that cause | | | | high blood pressure can lead to increased risk of |
| blood vessels to literally burst and bleed into the | | | | stroke and heart disease. |
| brain. | | | | - Avoid smoking. |
| Symptoms | | | | - If you have diabetes, learn how to manage it |
| People who are having a stroke can experience: | | | | efficiently. |
| - Numbness or weakness in the face or leg, | | | | - Maintain a healthy body weight with a healthy |
| usually on one side of the body | | | | eating plan and safe amount of physical activity. |