Tips for Taking Action with Emergent Situations

If you need to help care for your elderly loved one, it is important to know that various emergent situations could arise. Elderly people are more at risk for falls and certain health conditions. Learning more about some of the most common emergencies that happen with the elderly could help you to save your elderly loved one.

Strokes

It is essential to know that there are 2 types of strokes. Ischemic strokes are blockages that stop blood from flowing to one’s brain. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused from bleeding that happens in one’s brain. Some of the stroke signs to watch out for include the following:

  • Facial drooping
  • Leg or arm weakness
  • Speech issues (garbled speech, etc.)
  • Sudden severe headache
  • Double vision
  • Trouble walking
  • Loss of vision
  • Sudden loss of sensations on one side of their body

Strokes are emergencies. The sooner that your elderly loved one can get emergency medical care when experiencing a stroke, the better chances there will be for recovery. For ischemic strokes, the medicine that could save your elderly loved one should be given within no more than 4 ½ hours after their symptoms started. If you think your elderly loved one is having a stroke, call 9-1-1 right away and let them know what is going on.

Bells Palsy

Bells palsy is a condition that can cause temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of your loved one’s face. This could include the mouth, eye, and forehead, as well. Likely, this condition is caused by nerve inflammation. A virus could have affected this nerve, as well. Some of the signs of Bells palsy that you and your loved one’s home care providers should watch out for include the following:

  • Drooling
  • Trouble keeping any liquids in their mouth
  • Noticeable drooping of the face
  • Dry mouth and/or eyes
  • Not being able to wrinkle the forehead muscles
  • Can’t close their eye’s, move their mouth, or smile on the side that was affected
  • Sound sensitivity
  • Severe eye tearing

Bells palsy is an emergency and the symptoms can mimic a stroke. If your elderly loved one is having any of these symptoms, be sure they get to the nearest emergency room right away. Doctors will likely give your elderly loved one steroids. If your elderly loved one doesn’t get treatment, their symptoms will probably clear up in about 2 weeks. However, they should be assessed by a doctor just to be safe.

Conclusion

There are various emergencies that could arise with your elderly loved one. Be sure that you watch out for the symptoms of these conditions and get your loved one the immediate medical help they need.

Sources
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/stroke
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Bells-Palsy-Information-Page#:~:text=Bell’s%20palsy%20is%20a%20form,it%20can%20affect%20both%20sides.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/types.html

If you are considering home care services in Westminster, OH, for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Touching Hearts At Home of Dayton today at 937-558-9394.

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