“Stroke” is a very broad medical term that refers to any situation where blood flow to brain cells is stopped. All sorts of things can cause strokes, ranging from lodged blood clots to burst blood vessels. Therefore, strokes are divided into different categories based on what caused them and how much damage they did. Understanding the different types of strokes can help seniors take control of their own health.
1. Ischemic Stroke
This is the most common type of stroke, and roughly 87 percent of all strokes fall into this category. An ischemic stroke occurs when a clot in a blood vessel keeps blood from traveling to the brain. It causes classic stroke symptoms, including difficulty speaking, weakened muscles, mental confusion, drooping facial muscles, and difficulty walking. If a senior doesn’t get treatment quickly enough for an ischemic stroke, he or she can become permanently disabled. Treatment for ischemic strokes relies on breaking up the clots to restore blood flow.
Stroke survivors who recover at home often need help with the everyday tasks of life. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading home care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.
2. Hemorrhagic Stroke
When a person has a hemorrhagic stroke, an artery supplying blood to the brain ruptures. This type of stroke results in symptoms like sudden headaches, speech problems, vision issues, dizziness, and weakness in the legs, arms, or facial muscles. Hemorrhagic strokes can be very dangerous because the leaking blood causes pressure to build up inside the brain. They require very fast treatment to repair the bleeding area before damage gets any worse.
The effects of a stroke can make it difficult for a senior to live at home safely without a caregiver close by at all times. Certain age-related conditions can make it more challenging for seniors to age in place safely and comfortably, but Edmonton live-in care experts are available around the clock to help seniors manage their health. Whether your loved one is living with dementia or recovering from a stroke, you can trust the professional live-in caregivers from Home Care Assistance to enhance his or her quality of life.
3. Transient Ischemic Attack
Often called a TIA or mini-stroke, this is a type of stroke with less permanent blockage. During a TIA, blood flow to the brain is only halted for around five minutes. This typically happens when a blood clot lodges in a blood vessel briefly before moving on. When a person has a TIA, he or she typically experiences symptoms like temporary blindness, headaches, or dizziness for a few hours. Though a TIA resolves itself quickly, it’s still a medical emergency that requires a hospital trip. Even a temporary blood flow blockage causes damage to the brain that may be serious. Furthermore, TIAs are often warning signs that more severe strokes may happen soon.
4. Silent Stroke
This is a unique type of stroke that shares some similarities with ischemic strokes and TIAs. A silent stroke, or silent cerebral infarction, happens when blood flow to a very small part of the brain is briefly blocked. Mostly caused by blood clots, silent strokes have no symptoms. Though people may not notice when silent strokes happen, they can still cause damage to the brain. This damage can be revealed on MRIs and other brain scans, where small white spots of dead brain cells are visible. If a person has recurring silent strokes, he or she could end up with just as much brain damage as he or she would have experienced with another type of stroke.
A senior stroke survivor often needs very specialized care from someone with experience in providing support during stroke recovery. There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional senior care. Edmonton families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place. To create a customized home care plan for your loved one, call Home Care Assistance at (780) 490-7337 today.