Men and women who experience strokes may exhibit different warning signs, and as a family caregiver, you should know those symptoms. Although there are common warning signs all seniors could experience, the risk factors for men and women are often different. Recognizing the symptoms could save your elderly loved one’s life. Here are some of the different signs of stroke in men and women.
Difficulty Speaking
This symptom occurs in both men and women who are experiencing strokes. If your loved one’s speech is affected, he or she may be having a stroke. The stroke could make it difficult to comprehend what your loved one is saying. Depending on the severity of the stroke, your parent may not be able to speak at all. If your loved one is experiencing slurred speech, consider this a warning sign. Ask your parent to repeat a simple sentence like “The grass is green.” If your loved one cannot repeat this sentence or speak at all, call for emergency assistance immediately.
Caring for senior loved ones can be challenging for families who don’t have expertise or professional training in home care, but this challenge doesn’t have to be faced alone. Family caregivers can turn to Home Care Assistance for the help they need. We provide high-quality live-in and respite care as well as comprehensive Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care.
Nausea
Women are more susceptible to nausea and motion sickness than men, and nausea and vomiting are warning signs of stroke among females. Many senior women and their caregivers believe the symptom will go away on its own. This is why many older women experience mini-strokes without knowing it. If your loved one becomes nauseous and dizzy at the same time, she may be experiencing a stroke.
Arm Weakness
Weakness in one of the arms is a warning that an older man may be on the verge of a stroke. Your loved one may have difficulty lifting his arms, or you may notice one of his arms drift downward. This should be a warning that he needs immediate medical assistance. Although women can experience sudden weakness and balance issues, men typically have difficulty moving their arms when they’re having strokes.
Agitation
Emotional stress tends to affect women more than men, and this type of stress is a leading factor related to strokes in older women. Women with depression are more likely to become agitated in the midst of severe anxiety. Don’t treat agitation as a normal phase your loved one is going through. She may be agitated because the stress associated with depression has caused her blood to clot and a stroke is occurring.
Seniors who become isolated are at greater risk for depression. For families living in Rocklin, respite care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Home Care Assistance, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
Face Drooping
A drooping face is one of the most common signs of strokes among senior men. If you notice your loved one’s face drooping, this is due to the nerves that control the face being damaged in the brain. Lack of oxygen and excessive pressure on the brain cells are causing the stroke. Ask your loved one to smile to determine if his smile is lopsided. If so, contact the doctor immediately to get your loved one the help he needs.
Recovering from a stroke, managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and a variety of other health-related situations can make it difficult for a senior to continue living at home without someone there to help. Families looking for top-rated Rocklin senior home care providers can reach out to Home Care Assistance. From respite care to specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s care, there are many ways we can make life easier for seniors and their loved ones. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.