Steps to Take If Your Elderly Loved One Has a Stroke

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Steps to Take If Your Aging Loved One Has a Stroke in Portland, OR

No one wants to see their senior loved one experience a stroke. However, you should be prepared in case one does occur. Here are some of the steps you should take in the event your loved one has a stroke. 

Dial 911

The quicker your loved one receives medical attention, the better the odds of recovering will be. Call 911 before you call any family members, friends, or family doctors. You should dial 911 even if you’re unsure your loved one is having a stroke.

Consider hiring a professional caregiver if your loved one has experienced a stroke or has been diagnosed with another serious health condition. If your senior loved one needs professional in-home care in Align Home Care is here to help. We are a trusted provider of respite and 24-hour care, and we also offer specialized Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, and stroke care for seniors. 

Remain Calm

You will need to find a way to stay calm. If you panic, your loved one might also panic, which is not good for blood and oxygen flow. Your job is to remind your loved one that help is on the way and that he or she will be fine. Keep reminding yourself you are doing everything possible to help your loved one. The key here is to remain calm and reassuring. 

Do Not Leave 

Once you have gathered a notepad, your mobile phone, and other necessary items, do not leave your loved one’s side. This will prevent your loved one from harming him or herself. If your loved one is conscious, gently lay him or her down on the side. Make sure his or her head is slightly raised and has support. If your loved one is not conscious, take his or her pulse and respiratory rate. If he or she does not have a pulse or isn’t breathing, begin administering CPR immediately. 

Don’t Offer Food or Medication

Strokes are typically caused by blockages in the artery. However, some strokes can be caused by bleeding from an artery that has burst. If you give your loved one food during this time, it could make the situation worse. Medication, including aspirin and other over-the-counter drugs, could also cause your loved one more harm. 

In Portland, ME, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family.

Make a List 

When the ambulance arrives, responders will need to know as much information as possible, including the time the stroke happened and where it took place. They will also ask questions about your loved one’s past medical history, including history of strokes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and more. If you have these things written down, you can also give them to the doctors once you arrive at the hospital. Make sure to add a list of any prescribed or over-the-counter medications your loved one is currently taking. This will help the doctors treat your loved one more effectively.

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. Portland, ME, live-in care professionals are trained to help seniors who need 24/7 assistance. With the help of a live-in caregiver, your elderly loved one can maintain a higher quality of life while aging in place. If your aging loved one needs assistance with daily activities or you need a break from your caregiving duties, call Align Home Care at (207) 835-3490 today.

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