How Is Your Health?

Home Health Care Aides Can Spot Symptoms of a Stroke in Those Who Live Alone

by Camila Davidson

Living alone can be a challenge for people of every age but is particularly tough for older individuals. For example, they may experience a stroke without realizing it until it is too late. Thankfully, home health care aides can spot this problem and provide detailed care at the same time. 

Many People Suffer Strokes Alone Every Year

Older people who live alone may cause great confusion and fear in their adult children. That's because these individuals may be at a higher risk of experiencing health issues without even realizing it. For example, those who live alone may not notice the symptoms of a stroke right away because many of the early signs require can only be recognized by an observer.

Unfortunately, this may mean that this person does not call the doctor until their symptoms have progressed heavily—and sadly, time is everything with a stroke. Those who get treatment later may not recover nearly as well. As a result, those in this situation may want to do the right thing and consider a regular home health care aide. These individuals provide many benefits that are worth their cost.

How Home Health Care May Help

A home health care aide is unique because they can do exactly what a person needs and nothing more or less. For example, those who live alone and who are worried about a stroke can have a home care professional visit them every day for a few hours. They can spend time together, do laundry, perform some exercises, and even go on trips to the store or the pharmacy together, as needed.

This type of care can take some of the duties of taking care of a home off of those who live alone. More importantly, though, home health care can provide a sounding board for the potential development of stroke symptoms. If they notice that their client is talking slower, not responding well to certain input, or has a sagging mouth or other areas of the body, then they can then call a hospital right away.

And when time is so important in the treatment of a disease, these steps can make the difference between minor side effects of a stroke and life-long debilitating issues. As a result, it isn't a bad idea to have these home care aides at their house during critical moments, and as often as possible, to ensure that they don't experience this scary situation alone.

For more information about how these professionals can be a help for you or your loved ones, contact a home care provider.

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